Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry, long dominated by foreign companies, is witnessing the rise of a bold new challenger—M-Ride, an indigenous platform positioning itself as more than just another transport app. Founded by Gregory Muna Peter Onojasike, M-Ride represents a broader movement in Nigeria’s tech space: the determination to build solutions rooted in local realities rather than imported models. From Imported Apps to Local Innovation For years, Nigerian commuters have relied on global names like Uber and Bolt, but many riders and drivers share the same frustrations—commission-heavy pricing, inconsistent safety features, and surge algorithms that often feel unfair. M-Ride seeks to turn…

Why do some technologies spread like wildfire in certain parts of the world, while others struggle to take off in places like Nigeria? It’s rarely about interest or talent—Nigerians are brimming with innovation and ambition. The real challenge lies in the building blocks that allow technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to thrive. Imagine AI as a brilliant recipe for the future. The instructions are clear, the results are impressive—but if the kitchen lacks a working oven or the ingredients are overpriced, cooking that recipe becomes nearly impossible. That’s exactly Nigeria’s AI story: the knowledge is there, the appetite is strong,…

Nigeria’s managers, policymakers, and business leaders are being urged to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive steps in harnessing emerging technologies to transform the nation’s economy. This was the central message at the 2025 Annual National Management Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), NIM, which opened in Abuja on Monday. The three-day gathering, themed “Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Drive Innovation, Creativity and Productivity,” brought together voices from government, academia, business, and international partners to chart a roadmap for a tech-driven Nigeria. “Technology Is Everything” In his opening remarks, Abimbola Ayuba, President and Council Chairman of NIM, said the…

While much of the global conversation on clean mobility revolves around electric vehicles (EVs), Nigerian logistics startup Renda Africa believes Africa’s near-term solution lies elsewhere: compressed natural gas (CNG). Through its embedded finance platform, SCALE by Renda, the company aims to convert over one million vehicles in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya to run on CNG by 2027—a move it says could slash emissions and ease transport costs for millions. Lowering Barriers for Drivers and Fleet Owners Converting vehicles to CNG has long been hampered by cost. A single conversion typically runs between ₦750,000 ($497) and ₦3 million ($1,991)—a steep price…

In Philadelphia, Nigerian-born chef and food consultant Shola Olunloyo is proving that great cooking can be guided by more than taste and sight—it can be measured in sound. Olunloyo, widely respected in the U.S. restaurant industry as a behind-the-scenes problem solver, has advised top kitchens on everything from oven selection to menu design. Yet despite his reputation as a meticulous technician, his deepest connection lies with a dish from his childhood: Nigerian jollof rice. What makes his method extraordinary is that he cooks it almost entirely by ear. To him, the bubbling and sizzling of rice provide as much information…

Lagos will once again become a hub for innovation in architecture, construction, and design as Ecobank Nigeria prepares to host the second edition of its flagship Design & Build showcase, scheduled for September 24–28, 2025 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island. With the theme “How We Build, How We Live,” this year’s five-day experience is designed to explore the intersection of creativity, technology, and lifestyle. More than 40 carefully selected exhibitors will present trailblazing ideas in real estate, interiors, and construction—curated to highlight quality over scale and deliver a more engaging and impactful experience for attendees. Speaking…

In Jos, Plateau State, a young Nigerian entrepreneur, Zang Luka, is transforming electronic waste into life-changing products—proving that technology and sustainability can go hand in hand. Through his company, Zang Global, Luka has set up a recycling factory that converts discarded electronics and cables into practical devices like power banks, solar lanterns, phone chargers, and USB cables. But the mission goes beyond gadgets. Luka envisions creating over 15,000 jobs across Africa while reducing environmental pollution caused by the burning of electric cables. “Zang Global is more than a technology company—we are champions of environmental sustainability,” Luka said. By turning waste…

Nigeria’s largest industrial conglomerate, the Dangote Group, is at the centre of escalating tensions with organised labour, raising concerns about the stability of the nation’s energy sector and broader economy. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused Dangote of wage suppression, union-busting, and monopolistic practices, warning that failure to reform could trigger nationwide industrial action. The Bigger Picture: Monopoly Meets National Security Dangote Refinery, positioned as a strategic asset in Nigeria’s energy security plan, is now under scrutiny for practices that labour leaders say threaten both economic fairness and workers’ rights. With fuel supply and pricing already volatile, any disruption…

Ondo State has taken another step toward becoming a digitally driven economy, signing a strategic partnership with telecommunications giant Globacom to deploy advanced digital solutions across governance, education, security, and commerce. At a meeting in Akure, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa described the collaboration as central to his administration’s vision of technology-powered governance and inclusive growth. “Digital tools are no longer optional; they are essential for driving transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement,” the governor said. He highlighted the state’s recently launched iOndo platform—an electronic tax collection system that simplifies payments—as a model of how technology can eliminate red tape, reduce human…

The spotlight will be on Ogun State this September as the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Programme (YSECP) concludes with a pitch competition and final event in Abeokuta. Organised by the British Council, with King’s Trust International as technical partner and NerdzFactory Company Limited as delivery partner, the competition will take place on September 9, 2025, at the bH3 Events Centre. The initiative, designed to empower young entrepreneurs between ages 18 and 35, has provided weeks of training, mentorship, and enterprise development for 80 participants, with deliberate inclusion of women and persons with disabilities. At the finale, 16 finalists will present…

Toronto’s High Park community has a new culinary hotspot with the opening of Greelz on Bloor, a restaurant blending the smoky allure of Nigerian street food with contemporary global dining trends. The venture is led by Chef Tolu Okojie, widely known as Chef TEE, whose Afro-fusion brand, Greelz Inc., has already gained recognition for reimagining African cuisine with creativity and flair. At Greelz on Bloor, staples such as beef suya and jollof rice are transformed into modern favourites, including suya wraps, Agege suya burgers, and vibrant bowls. This inventive menu caters to adventurous diners eager to discover African flavours, as…

A new women’s empowerment initiative is injecting fresh energy into Nigeria’s grassroots economy, as 18,500 women across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory receive business grants of ₦50,000 each. The programme is funded through a ₦1 billion endowment from the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), designed to support women traders and small-scale entrepreneurs who play critical roles in sustaining households and local communities. At recent empowerment ceremonies in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and Calabar, Cross River State, state first ladies representing Senator Oluremi Tinubu emphasized that the initiative was not a loan but direct financial support to help women recapitalize…

Nigeria is working to anchor its economic future on stability, resilience, and investor confidence, with banking reforms and tighter monetary policies taking center stage. At the heart of this effort is the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation mandate, designed to produce stronger institutions capable of financing growth while withstanding shocks. Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, speaking at the Eurocham Nigeria C-Level Forum in Lagos, said the country’s financial system has regained stability, and the priority now is to consolidate those gains while addressing inflation and unlocking fresh investment inflows. “Our goal is to sustain stability while ensuring banks remain strong…

Walk through the streets of Lagos or scroll through TikTok, and you’ll find a quiet revolution underway. A generation once dismissed as distracted or unserious is now piecing together a new economic order—one that owes little to the traditional pillars of Nigeria’s job market. Government work, oil money, or corporate titles no longer define success. For Nigeria’s under-30s, income isn’t tied to a desk, a suit, or even a CV. Their wealth comes from the hustle: a mix of digital creativity, peer-to-peer enterprise, and a relentless refusal to wait for opportunity. The Digital-First Generation Born into smartphones and broadband, Gen…

Nigeria is making a renewed pitch to global Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms to re-enter its oil and gas sector, promising that the obstacles that once drove them away have been dismantled. Speaking at the EPC Deepwater Investment Roundtable in London, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, assured international operators and contractors that the country’s oil environment had been “reset” through policy reforms, regulatory clarity, and attractive fiscal terms. Rebuilding Confidence in a Once-Troubled Market For years, leading EPC contractors scaled down or exited Nigeria due to regulatory uncertainty, cost recovery disputes, project insecurity, and inefficient…

The future of Nigeria’s built environment will take centre stage this September as the Association of Facilities Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AFMPN) hosts its annual industry conference in Lagos. With the theme “Facilities: Harnessing Technologies for Smart Cities and Workplaces,” the two-day gathering is positioned as more than an industry meet-up — it is a call to action for stakeholders to redefine facilities management as a driver of economic growth, sustainability, and workplace efficiency. Rethinking Facilities Management in a Smart Economy According to AFMPN President, Olumide Aina, the conference is designed to spark a collective rethink of the sector’s role…

West African leaders, scientists, and health officials have gathered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for the 2025 Lassa Fever International Conference (LIC) — an event positioned not just as a medical summit, but as a turning point in the region’s fight against epidemics. Organised by the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO), the four-day gathering carries the theme “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases.” Its message is clear: West Africa can no longer afford fragmented approaches to public health threats. From Outbreak Response to Long-Term Preparedness Unlike past gatherings that focused largely on emergency response,…

Fidelity Bank Plc is taking Nigeria’s international trade ambitions to a global stage with the 2025 edition of its Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC), set to hold in Atlanta, United States, from September 18–20, 2025. The three-day summit is expected to bring together over 3,000 participants — including investors, trade agencies, exporters, diaspora professionals, and policymakers — with a target of facilitating more than $500 million in trade and investment transactions. Lagos State Leads the Charge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will head Lagos State’s delegation, leveraging the forum to highlight Lagos as Africa’s largest economy while exploring partnership opportunities…

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has unveiled plans to privatise 91 state-owned enterprises as part of renewed efforts to boost efficiency, attract investment, and generate new jobs. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, BPE Director General, Mr. Ayodeji A. Gbeleyi, disclosed that two Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and one Generation Company (GenCo) are being prepared for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the Nigerian Exchange. He noted that details of the firms and expected revenue remain confidential at this stage to maintain transaction integrity. According to Gbeleyi, the Nigerian power sector represents a strong candidate for stock market listing,…

Nigeria’s cement sector is about to see fresh competition as MSM Group prepares to establish a massive production plant in Kebbi State valued at $600 million. The initiative, championed by the group’s chairman, Muazzam Mairawani, is expected to inject new energy into a market currently dominated by Dangote Cement and BUA Cement. The upcoming facility is projected to produce 12 million tons annually. While that figure trails BUA’s 17 million and Dangote’s 52 million, analysts say the development signals the beginning of stronger competition in the country’s construction materials industry. Global Expansion Meets Local Investment Mairawani, who hails from Kano,…