Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Northern Nigeria’s commercial hub, Kano, is fast becoming a beacon of innovation. While Lagos often steals the spotlight in Nigeria’s tech narrative, Kano is quietly building a thriving startup ecosystem that’s solving real problems—and gaining national attention. Once celebrated primarily for its historical and agricultural roots, Kano is now emerging as a hotbed for technology-driven innovation. The city currently ranks 304th globally among the top 1,000 startup cities and holds the 7th position within Nigeria. As of October 2023, Kano commands a 25% market share in Northern Nigeria’s startup activity, ahead of Abuja and Kaduna. From Agritech to Fintech: A…

The countdown is on! In just one week, Lagos will host one of the most anticipated tech gatherings of the year — the AfricArena Lagos Summit 2025. Taking place on Wednesday, April 30 at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, this summit is set to shine a spotlight on West Africa’s most promising startups and innovators. With a focus on fintech, mobility, logistics, energy, e-commerce, and agritech, the event promises to deliver groundbreaking ideas and investment opportunities that reflect the region’s vibrant tech ecosystem. Connecting African Innovation with Global Capital AfricArena has long positioned itself as a gateway…

In a strategic effort to build momentum ahead of its official launch, Spring Sky Finance welcomed a delegation of eight former Super Eagles footballers to its Ikoyi, Lagos headquarters on Monday. The event, staged as a business engagement initiative, is part of the company’s broader mission to foster financial inclusion and win grassroots support for its soon-to-be-launched digital banking platform. Scheduled to roll out on February 28, 2025, Spring Sky Finance is entering Nigeria’s competitive fintech space with bold promises — streamlined loan access, AI-powered services, and customized credit solutions tailored for individuals and small businesses. Building Trust Through Legacy…

Entrepreneurs and small business owners have been advised to prioritize building solid business structures over the pursuit of capital, as structure, credibility, and clarity are essential ingredients for sustainable growth. This message was a key highlight of the SME Funding Conference hosted by Covenant Capital, the enterprise and advisory arm of The Covenant Nation, held recently in Lagos. Speaking at the event, Yemi Keri, Board Chair of the Lagos Angel Network, cautioned that many business owners misunderstand the role of capital in business development. According to her, entrepreneurs often assume that access to funding will automatically lead to business growth…

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Professor Tunde Lawal, has stated that the growing unemployment rate among Nigerian graduates is no longer a sign of educational failure, but rather a reflection of the nation’s universities increasingly producing functional graduate entrepreneurs. He made this remark during the 2025 Entrepreneurship Week, an annual event organized by Bowen University to showcase student-led innovations, products, and services learned during their vocational training. The event also serves as a national trade fair, attracting accomplished entrepreneurs and alumni from across the country. Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jonathan Babalola, Prof. Lawal emphasized the importance of creating avenues…

The Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a joint initiative by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), has officially launched its first call for applications to support women-led businesses in Nigeria, Mongolia, and the Dominican Republic. The application window runs from April 22 to May 18, 2025, with Jordan to follow shortly. The initiative offers financial support, technical assistance, mentorship, and access to global business networks—empowering women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses through digital trade. A $50 Million Push for Women in Global Trade Backed by a $50 million commitment, the WEIDE Fund…

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), in collaboration with Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), has officially launched the second season of its acclaimed ‘Women Who Empower’ programme—an initiative designed to equip women in Nigeria’s imaging and print industries with the skills, confidence, and mentorship needed to thrive. Launched at Hive by Zen, a cutting-edge creative studio founded by Canon Ambassador Emmanuel Oyeleke, the event welcomed 20 talented women selected for this season’s programme. The event also marked a celebration of the International Women’s Day 2025 theme: “Accelerate Action,” aligning with Canon’s mission to empower diverse communities and foster creativity. Building…

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) was a hive of scholarly and professional activity on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as the Faculty of Management Sciences launched its Annual Academic Conference under the compelling theme:“Navigating Volatile Business Environments: Mitigation and Adaptive Strategies.” The two-day hybrid event—drawing participants from universities, businesses, and government institutions across Nigeria—provided a timely forum for exploring practical solutions to the increasing uncertainty and complexity of today’s business world. Opening Ceremony: A Call for Relevance and Impact Declaring the conference open, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, commended the faculty for choosing a forward-thinking and solution-oriented theme. “I love…

Some of the most influential voices in Nigeria’s business ecosystem—and beyond—will gather for the highly anticipated 2025 edition of the Doing Business in Nigeria Conference (DBNC), scheduled for Saturday, April 26. This year’s theme, “Navigating the Storm: Thriving in a Transforming Nigeria,” reflects the event’s focus on thriving amidst economic shifts, global uncertainty, and rapid technological evolution. Among the key speakers are top industry leaders including Tonye Cole (Co-founder, Sahara Group), Fola Aiyesimoju (Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Plc), Paul Onwuainibe (Executive Chairman, Landmark Group), JoEllen Gorg (Acting U.S. Consul General), and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Founder, Future Africa). These trailblazers…

Abuja is set to host a groundbreaking convergence of industry heavyweights as the inaugural “Sports Meet Nigeria” conference takes center stage at Cubana Hotel, Jabi on April 26, 2025. Bringing together key figures in sports, business, media, and government, the event will serve as a launchpad for strategic conversations, partnerships, and investments aimed at transforming Nigeria’s sports landscape into a powerhouse of economic and social impact. Uniting Forces for Sports-Driven Growth Conceived by Akeola Lukumanu Ayinde—a seasoned sports business advisor, FIFA player agent, boxing promoter, and CEO of ESEM Group—the conference promises high-energy panel sessions, keynote speeches, networking forums, and…

In a booming year for Nigeria’s financial sector, nine top banks earned a combined N14.26 trillion in interest income in 2024—more than double the N6.49 trillion recorded the previous year. The surge in bank earnings comes on the back of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) aggressive monetary tightening, which saw the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) climb to a record 24.75%, with commercial lending rates ranging from 28% to 35%. While the move significantly boosted banks’ revenues, it has also drawn sharp criticism from the real sector for worsening access to credit and straining business operations, particularly for manufacturers and…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially announced the maiden edition of the Startup Consultative Forum, scheduled to take place in Abuja on Monday, April 28, 2025. In a statement issued by Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, the agency described the event as a pivotal step toward strengthening collaboration within Nigeria’s dynamic startup landscape. A Platform for Innovation and Policy Dialogue The Forum will bring together startup founders, innovators, investors, ecosystem enablers, and intermediaries in a shared space to help shape policies that drive growth, investment, and digital innovation. It’s more than just…

Nigeria stands on the threshold of transformation—powered by its greatest asset: its youth. With a median age of just 17, the country’s future is undeniably tied to the empowerment, education, and success of its younger generation. Recognising this, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has unveiled a bold and visionary blueprint aimed at unlocking the potential of Nigerian youth through strategic empowerment programmes and economic reforms. The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA): Shaping Future Leaders At the heart of this vision is the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)—a game-changing initiative designed to boost Nigeria’s human capital by offering training in digital skills, technical…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially debunked claims circulating on social media about the introduction of new ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 naira notes, clarifying that no such denominations are being launched. The Viral Misinformation The false claim—originally shared via Facebook posts on April 2—alleged that the CBN would roll out the new notes starting May 1, citing the move as a strategy to ease Nigeria’s “cash challenges.” The posts featured: A fake CBN press release, falsely signed by a “Dr. Ibrahim Tahir Jr.,” claimed to be a deputy governor of the apex bank. Fabricated images of the supposed banknotes,…

In a bold forecast for the future of Nigeria’s energy sector, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced that the country is on track to become a full-fledged petroleum exporting nation within two years. This optimistic projection follows a significant milestone reported by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)—the licensing of 83 refineries across the country, boasting a combined refining capacity of 1,124,500 barrels per day. According to NMDPRA, the breakdown of the current refinery licenses is as follows: 8 refineries with Licenses to Operate (LTO) 30 refineries with Licenses to Construct…

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is heading the country’s delegation to the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, taking place from April 21 to April 26 in Washington, D.C. The annual event gathers representatives from over 190 countries, including finance ministers, central bank governors, financial institutions, and economic policy leaders, to tackle some of the world’s most pressing financial challenges. Nigeria’s Strategic Presence on the Global Stage Nigeria’s delegation comprises high-ranking officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), CEOs of financial institutions, private sector leaders, civil society advocates, and NGO representatives—highlighting…

Reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector may not be enough on their own to draw in investment—targeted incentives and proper execution are critical, according to experts at the 2025 Investor Perception Survey presentation held by Arbiterz Conferences in partnership with Good Governance Africa (GGA). Reforms Applauded, but Gaps Remain Dr. Ogho Okiti, Managing Director of Africa Business Convention, praised the government’s reform efforts but stressed that policy tweaks must align with national goals and be backed by practical incentives. “To attract serious investment, we must fix FX constraints, offer compelling incentives, and drive real sector growth—especially in the gas…

Digital entrepreneurs and online investors are raising concerns following a major legal reform that could reshape Nigeria’s digital finance and investment landscape. President Bola Tinubu recently signed the Investments and Securities Act 2025 (ISA 2025) into law—a sweeping regulation aimed at tightening control over online trading platforms and protecting investors from financial misconduct. One of the most significant reforms under this new law is the outright ban of unregistered online foreign exchange (forex) trading platforms and digital asset exchanges in Nigeria. Any entity operating such platforms without prior registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now considered illegal…

In a bold step toward strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LIMBsimple, a dynamic business development firm. This partnership aims to empower entrepreneurs and professionals, creating a financially inclusive and resilient business environment across the country. Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju, President and Chairman of the Council at CIBN, expressed strong optimism about the collaboration, describing it as a catalyst for long-term value creation across various sectors. “We’re proud to partner with LIMBsimple, an innovation-driven company committed to reshaping the entrepreneurial space,” Olanrewaju stated during the…

In a bold move to curb unemployment and empower the next generation, the West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and King’s Trust Fund, has encouraged young Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship and essential employability skills. This call was made during the recent “Get Hired” recruitment fair, which brought together over 150 job seekers and 20 employers, marking the conclusion of an intensive four-week employability training program designed to prepare youth for the real world of work. The initiative is part of a broader Lagos State mission to empower 2,000 youths aged 18…