Author: Gift Ifeanyi

In a world where imitation often masquerades as innovation, Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele, the Founder and Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, is championing a radical message — Africa must stop copying and start creating. Speaking in Lagos, Ogundele delivered a fiery critique of what he calls “microwave entrepreneurship” — businesses built for applause instead of purpose. “We cannot afford to do me-too projects,” he warned. “All these copy-and-paste businesses are killing originality. Imitation is not innovation, and imitation always leads to limitation.” For Ogundele, true entrepreneurship is not about chasing trends but setting them. His challenge to African founders is…

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is once again shifting the frontiers of industrial ambition — this time with a plan that could make Nigeria home to the largest oil refinery in the world. Barely a year after commissioning his $20 billion Dangote Refinery, the billionaire industrialist revealed his intention to boost production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to an astonishing 1.4 million bpd. If successful, this expansion would surpass India’s famed Jamnagar Refinery, which currently leads global rankings at 1.36 million bpd. A Vision Beyond Boundaries Speaking in Lagos, Dangote explained that the expansion is not just about…

In a country where red tape often smothers ambition, a quiet revolution is emerging — one powered not by government decrees, but by young innovators determined to rebuild Nigeria’s business ecosystem from the inside out. At the recently concluded Nigerian Economic Summit, the spotlight unexpectedly shifted from high-level economic rhetoric to the voices of a new generation — professionals who see technology not as a tool of convenience, but as a weapon against inefficiency. One such voice, Idris Ayodeji Ibiyemi, stood out with a radical proposition: that Nigeria’s business challenges are not just a matter of poor policy, but of…

The 2025 edition of the Arise Walk for Life and Women Conference, organised by Arise Women, will kick off on Saturday, November 1, and conclude on Sunday, November 2, in Lagos. Founded by Dr. Siju Iluyomade, Arise Women continues its mission of empowering women and supporting the less privileged through health advocacy, education, and social impact initiatives. Now in its 17th year, the annual event is expected to draw thousands of participants both onsite and online from across Nigeria and beyond. Theme: GRIT – Greatness, Resilience, Innovation, and Teamwork This year’s theme, “GRIT: Greatness, Resilience, Innovation, and Teamwork,” embodies the…

A high-level delegation from Germany’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in Giessen-Friedberg is set to visit Nigeria from November 2 to 14 in a renewed effort to expand bilateral cooperation and boost private-sector development between both nations. The announcement was made by Matthias Leder, Chief Executive Officer of IHK Giessen-Friedberg, during a virtual press briefing also attended by Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and the Managing Partner of the public relations firm, Bruit Costaud. Leder highlighted that the upcoming visit would build upon nearly two decades of collaboration between IHK and Nigerian institutions—focusing on vocational training, youth…

In a bold move to redefine higher education, Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) is positioning itself as a launchpad for innovation, self-employment, and practical learning — a place where students are not just taught to seek jobs, but to create them. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition and Employability Training Programme, Vice-Chancellor Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye reaffirmed the university’s mission to blend classroom knowledge with real-world application. “Our goal is to cultivate a generation of thinkers who transform ideas into solutions,” he declared. “Entrepreneurship is not merely about owning a business — it’s about curiosity, creativity,…

At the heart of Lagos’ buzzing innovation ecosystem, thought leaders from the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Keystone Bank, MasterCard Foundation, and Tripoint Academy converged to champion a bold message — the future of Nigeria’s economy depends on sustainable, inclusive, and impact-driven entrepreneurship. Held under the powerful theme, “Catalysing the Future: Empowering Small Businesses for Impact and Inclusive Growth,” the 2025 EDC SME Conference wasn’t just another gathering — it was a rallying call for a new generation of entrepreneurs determined to build beyond profit and leave a legacy of transformation. Building Businesses That Build Nigeria Opening the event, Nneka Okekearu,…

Nigeria’s economic playbook is being rewritten. With the introduction of the Nigeria Tax Administration (NTA) Act 2025, policymakers are charting a bold new course aimed at balancing fiscal responsibility with small-business empowerment. The landmark legislation — described by experts as a “transformational reset” for the country’s tax landscape — is poised to ease pressure on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while improving fairness, compliance, and growth opportunities across key sectors. A Redefined Tax Threshold for MSMEs One of the most notable changes under the NTA Act is the raised qualification ceiling for small businesses, which expands the annual turnover…

As Nigeria accelerates its journey toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future, global power technology leader Sungrow is stepping into the spotlight once again. The company is set to make a strong impression at the Nigeria Energy 2025 Conference — West Africa’s largest energy gathering — scheduled to take place in Lagos from October 28 to 30, 2025. The conference, a hub for policymakers, investors, and innovators, will spotlight how Africa’s most populous nation can overcome its long-standing electricity challenges and embrace renewable power as the engine of sustainable development. Nigeria’s Solar Moment Despite abundant sunlight and a young,…

In a rapidly changing global economy where innovation outruns tradition, educational leaders are urging Nigerian students to look beyond the walls of conventional learning and embrace the skills that define the modern professional landscape. This call to action resonated throughout the 2025 Global Education Conference, hosted by StudyIn Nigeria in Lagos — an event that drew representatives from 15 global institutions, each offering unique pathways and real-world perspectives for today’s learners. Degrees No Longer Define Success Setting the tone, Dr. Olayinka David-West, Dean of the Lagos Business School (represented by Henry Ogundolire), challenged the outdated notion that a university degree…

In a rare display of athleticism and unity beyond the courtroom, Nigeria’s judicial community is gearing up for one of its most anticipated annual traditions — the 30th Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Games, set to take off on November 20, 2025, in the vibrant city of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. What began three decades ago as a modest inter-court competition has now evolved into a national sporting spectacle, bringing together judges, magistrates, registrars, and judicial staff from every tier of government — federal, state, and even specialized courts. This year, the Games promise to be the largest in history,…

At the crossroads of technology and finance, one Nigerian voice stood out among global power players at this year’s Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh.Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), didn’t just join the conversation on artificial intelligence — he reframed it around a continent often overlooked in the race toward digital supremacy: Africa. While the rest of the world debates automation, data ethics, and AI scaling, Elumelu brought the dialogue back to the fundamentals — electricity, access, and equity.For him, the future of AI in Africa will not be written in code…

In an era where employability depends as much on practical skill as on academic brilliance, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) is charting a bold new course. Determined to redefine what it means to be “university-trained,” the institution has unveiled a Vocational and Technical Training Programme (VTTP) designed to merge classroom learning with real-world expertise. At the heart of this transformation lies its flagship project — the “Fundamentals of Automobile Service and Periodic Maintenance Training Programme.” Far more than a course, it’s a visionary step toward transforming UNIBEN into a national hub for technical innovation, employability, and entrepreneurial empowerment. From Theory…

In a country where inflation continues to stretch the wallets of consumers and small businesses struggle to stay visible, Glovo is quietly engineering a digital revolution. The global tech-powered delivery platform isn’t just bringing food to Nigerian doorsteps — it’s rebuilding how commerce happens, one local store at a time. At the heart of this transformation lies the Glovo Academy, a learning and development initiative that’s reshaping the DNA of entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Through in-person workshops, digital learning tools, and financial literacy programmes, Glovo is equipping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to think, act, and scale like 21st-century businesses. “Every…

In an era when borders are blurring and digital trade is redrawing the map of opportunity, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, is calling for a new kind of revolution — one powered not by politics, but by small businesses. At the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Sensitization Workshop held at the International Conference Centre in Enugu, Ojukwu challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to “see beyond local markets” and claim their place in West Africa’s growing economic frontier. “Regional integration is not a theory,” she said passionately. “It is about people, jobs, and prosperity. It’s about transforming promises…

At just 30, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, the Oxford-trained Chief Executive Officer of Konga Group, has carved his name among the architects of Africa’s digital future.This week, his trailblazing journey received global validation as he earned two prestigious international honours — the Forbes Best of Africa E-Commerce Leadership Award 2025 and the EuroKnowledge Distinguished Award for Emerging Leadership in Digital Transformation, presented at the House of Lords, London. In a hall graced by world leaders, innovators, and policymakers, Ekeh stood not merely as a recipient but as a symbol of Africa’s technological awakening — a generation daring to transform the continent…

In a historic move for Africa’s environmental future, Nigeria has passed a sweeping new wildlife protection law that could redefine the continent’s fight against illegal trade in endangered species.The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, approved by the Senate on Tuesday, introduces some of the continent’s toughest penalties yet — including fines of up to ₦12 million ($8,200) and prison sentences of up to 10 years for anyone found guilty of trading ivory, pangolin scales, or other protected wildlife. A Turning Point in the Global Trafficking Battle For years, Nigeria has been identified as a key transit hub in the…

In a world where oil once defined Nigeria’s wealth, a new kind of export is emerging — one woven not from crude, but from culture. At the centre of this renaissance stands Nkiru Achukwu, the visionary founder of Zephans & Co, whose work is reshaping how Nigerian craftsmanship is seen — and sold — on the global stage. Her label is not merely a fashion house. It is a movement of artistry, economy, and identity — converting local skill into global currency and rewriting the blueprint for Africa’s creative power. Beyond Runways: Building a Post-Oil Economy with Style Through Zephans…

In a time when Nigeria’s economy is hungry for transformation, Michael Udofia, the Chief Executive Officer of Fens Group, stands out as a man who turned humble beginnings into a powerful blueprint for agricultural and industrial growth. This week, Udofia’s trailblazing journey received international acclaim as he was honoured with the 2025 Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award (ADEA) by the Nigeria Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI), under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The recognition, presented at the 4th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference (Uyo 2025) in Akwa Ibom State, celebrated his exceptional role in reshaping Nigeria’s agribusiness…

In Riyadh’s glittering skyline — where the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute gathered the world’s most influential business minds — Nigerian investor and philanthropist Tony Elumelu delivered a wake-up call that echoed far beyond the conference halls. Speaking at the “Board of Changemakers: Financial Markets” plenary, alongside global banking icons such as Jane Fraser (Citigroup), Bill Winters (Standard Chartered), and C.S. Venkatakrishnan (Barclays), the Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA) chairman spotlighted a paradox shaping the 21st century: the race for artificial intelligence cannot leave Africa behind. “We’re talking about data and AI, but over 600 million Africans…