Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Ghana has emerged as a new supplier of crude oil to Nigeria’s $20 billion Dangote Refinery, marking a significant expansion of the plant’s sourcing strategy as it seeks to stabilise operations and maintain output growth. The inclusion of Ghana’s Sankofa crude, a medium-sweet blend, reflects the facility’s decision to secure more flexible feedstock arrangements. Recent data show the refinery processed around 610,000 barrels per day in August, approaching its maximum capacity of 650,000 bpd — a notable jump from early-year levels near 400,000 bpd. Diversification Beyond Nigerian Crude Although the refinery was originally expected to rely almost entirely on Nigerian…

At the maiden Brand Handlers Summit and Awards, SO&U’s Group Managing Director, Udeme Ufot, challenged Nigeria’s marketing community to rethink its foundations by embracing collaboration, ethics, and innovation as the drivers of sustainable brand growth. Speaking as Chairman of the summit, Ufot argued that while Nigeria’s advertising industry has won global recognition for creativity and resourcefulness, the ecosystem remains too fragmented to fully unlock its potential. “We are witnessing an industry that is dynamic and alive, yet inconsistent. The promise is clear, but the performance still falls short,” he told participants. Collaboration Over Competition Ufot stressed that success in marketing…

Nigeria stands at an inflection point. With the International Monetary Fund forecasting a 3.4% GDP expansion in 2025, the nation is edging toward renewed stability after years of volatility. Yet, the bigger question remains: who will convert this momentum into long-term prosperity? One company making that bet is AA&R Investment Group, an indigenous investment powerhouse established in 2017. Under the leadership of Abdullahi Haske, the group has steadily grown from a modest venture into a diversified conglomerate with footprints across oil and gas, agribusiness, logistics, maritime, aviation, and information technology. Building Beyond Oil Nigeria’s reliance on imports and crude exports…

Lagos, Nigeria – Once known mainly for its commerce and ports, Lagos is fast becoming Africa’s proving ground for large-scale digital transformation, with policymakers and global tech leaders converging on the city to outline pathways toward Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy. At the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference 2025, the spotlight was not only on gadgets and startups, but on Lagos’ role as a laboratory where government vision, private capital, and youthful talent are shaping Africa’s digital future. A City Outgrowing Old Labels Financial Times recently listed 23 Lagos-based firms among Nigeria’s fastest-growing companies, a recognition Governor Babajide…

In Nigeria’s economic landscape, one force stands out not through size or visibility, but through sheer impact — small and medium enterprises (SMEs). They employ the majority of the nation’s workforce, generate nearly half of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and stretch across every corner of society, from informal traders in rural villages to ambitious start-ups in tech hubs. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria is home to more than 39 million small businesses, accounting for 96 percent of enterprises nationwide. Their dominance highlights an unspoken truth: while oil revenues grab headlines, it is SMEs that sustain…

Nigeria is preparing to overhaul its education system with a national curriculum designed to integrate digital learning, technology, and entrepreneurship into classrooms across the country. The framework, unveiled by the federal government, is scheduled to take effect in September 2025. The announcement was shared by Presidential media aide Dada Olusegun, who posted the full breakdown of the subjects for Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) on Wednesday. Junior Secondary: Early Introduction to Coding At the lower secondary level, students will continue with traditional core subjects such as Mathematics, English, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Languages, Creative Arts, and…

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Tochi Wigwe, Director of The HOW Foundation, has wrapped up the final edition of the Town Hall Series under the TW Entrepreneurship 2030 Agenda (#TWEAGENDA) — a transformative five-year program committed to equipping over 5,000 micro and small business owners with innovative, non-financial tools for long-term growth. A Listening Platform for Business Voices Launched as part of a nationwide effort to understand the real struggles of Nigeria’s entrepreneurs, the town halls created a space for open dialogue. While each event was designed for 100 participants, the grand finale on August 2, 2025, drew 150 entrepreneurs, reflecting the…

What if every Nigerian village operated its own business? It sounds deceptively simple, but the potential impact on employment, productivity, and national prosperity could be revolutionary. Nigeria’s economic structure has long leaned on government enterprises and large corporations. The federal government owns NNPC, Lagos runs Ibile Holdings, Akwa Ibom operates Ibom Air, while other states maintain hotels, plantations, and joint oil ventures. If governments can successfully run enterprises, then communities can too — and with potentially greater reach. The Numbers Behind the Vision Nigeria has more than 80,000 villages by some estimates. If only half of these communities established a…

For decades, oil and minerals defined Africa’s role in the global economy. Today, data is emerging as the continent’s new strategic resource — and the battle over its ownership is heating up. On September 18, 2025, Lagos will become the stage for the Africa Data Sovereignty Conference, where executives, regulators, and innovators will debate the rules of engagement for a digital economy built on local control of information. The event, convened by Olla Systems in collaboration with Africa Hyperscalers, will host more than 300 leaders tasked with shaping how Africa secures and monetizes its digital assets. The conversation comes at…

Sahel Capital has deepened its footprint in Nigeria’s agricultural sector with a $590,000 financing deal for Rasad Nigeria, a cocoa and cashew-focused agribusiness operating out of Ogun State. The transaction, completed on 6 August, was structured under Sahel’s Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA), a vehicle dedicated to advancing inclusive growth for smallholder farmers across 12 Sub-Saharan African markets. The credit facility is divided into two parts: $450,000 in working capital to support day-to-day operations and $140,000 for capital expenditure, aimed at scaling Rasad’s processing and trading capacity. Founded in 1997 by the Adeagbo family, Rasad aggregates produce…

Nigeria’s artistic story is one of continuity — a thread connecting the pioneers of modern art with contemporary creators who carry forward their vision. That thread takes center stage at “Enduring Legacies: A Collector’s Tribute to Masters,” a landmark group exhibition currently running at EPAC Studios, Ecobank Headquarters, Victoria Island, Lagos, from August 30 to September 21, 2025. The show brings together more than 30 artists across generations, with rare works on display from iconic figures such as Bruce Onobrakpeya of the Zaria Art Society and Twins Seven Seven of the Oshogbo School, alongside celebrated names including Kolade Oshinowo, Muraina…

For decades, Mike Adenuga, Nigeria’s reclusive billionaire and second-richest man after Aliko Dangote, has built a sprawling empire that cuts across telecoms, oil, banking, construction, and real estate. Now, as he continues to preside over flagship companies Globacom and Conoil, a new chapter is unfolding—his daughters are stepping into influential boardroom roles, carrying forward a legacy of corporate dominance. With an estimated net worth of $6.3 billion (Forbes, August 2024), Adenuga remains one of Africa’s most powerful business figures. Yet behind his guarded public image, his children are emerging as decision-makers across strategic arms of the group, shaping policies, driving…

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has described Lagos State as the nation’s economic powerhouse and a city that belongs to all Nigerians, rather than one region or ethnic group. Speaking on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme, Bwala argued that the concentration of federal projects worth over N3.9 trillion in Lagos over the past two years should not be misinterpreted as bias. Instead, he framed it as strategic investment in the country’s commercial capital. “Lagos is a cosmopolitan hub. It did not even vote for the President in the last election, yet it remains the country’s…

This October, Lagos will host the 2025 edition of The Executive Woman Summit (TEWS), an annual leadership gathering designed to empower women navigating the demands of high-level careers. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, in Victoria Island, the summit will convene top executives, entrepreneurs, and rising leaders from sectors including finance, technology, healthcare, law, and media. The central theme for this year, “Leading from Within: An Authentic Approach to Leadership,” underscores the need for resilience, clarity, and purpose in modern leadership. A Vision Rooted in Experience Convener Bola Matel-Okoh, founder of BMO Advisory Services and the Women’s Lifestyle Hub, said the…

Nigeria is set to spotlight its most promising young innovators with the launch of InnovateNaija, a groundbreaking national competition designed to fuel homegrown creativity in science, engineering, and manufacturing. The initiative will officially debut on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at GITEX Nigeria on the 10x Stage at Landmark Event Center, Lagos, bringing together innovators from across the country for a chance to transform bold ideas into market-ready solutions. Empowering Innovation Across All States With a prize pool of ₦250 million, InnovateNaija is structured to ensure broad participation. The competition invites young Nigerians to showcase their ingenuity through creative video entries,…

When Osazua “Bazu” Bazuaye opened Shakara in the United Kingdom, it wasn’t just about serving food—it was about exporting a culture. For the Nigerian-born investor and hospitality veteran, the restaurant represents the intersection of passion, identity, and global ambition. Bazu’s journey began in Benin City, Edo State, where he was born, later studying Economics at Edo State University before furthering his education in London. Over the past two decades, his footprint stretched from Benin to Abuja, from Lagos to Europe, shaping his career in the food and beverage industry. Now, he is using that experience to position Nigerian dining as…

Earning in dollars has long been a dream for many Nigerians working online, but the hurdles of cross-border finance often turned it into a frustrating ordeal. From limited account options to hidden deductions, the gap between Nigerian workers and the U.S. market remained wide. Now, Boldswitch is stepping in to close that gap with a bold innovation. The fintech has launched a U.S. bank account service built specifically for Nigerians, allowing professionals and businesses to receive payments, transact, and spend internationally without the traditional roadblocks. What Sets It Apart Instead of relying on intermediaries or navigating complicated setups abroad, users…

Across Nigeria, creativity has become more than just cultural expression — it’s an industry rewriting the rules of growth and identity. From music that dominates global charts to films streamed by millions worldwide, Nigerian talent has proven its value. Yet at home, the infrastructure, financing, and policies required to scale this success remain underdeveloped. Stakeholders agree: if Nigeria is to achieve its ambition of turning the creative economy into a $100 billion contributor to GDP by 2030, financing models must evolve and the entrepreneurial mindset must shift. Why Financing Matters More Than Ever Traditional lenders often view creative ventures as…

Running a small business in Nigeria has long felt like climbing a steep hill with weights tied to your feet. Multiple levies, confusing tax demands, and inconsistent enforcement have pushed many entrepreneurs into informality, where growth is stifled, and survival is the only goal. This June, however, the federal government unveiled sweeping tax reforms it claims will lighten the load. Instead of focusing on extracting more from already strained enterprises, the new system attempts to remove hurdles and create breathing space for small firms. A System Reset At the heart of the reform is a package of laws that replaces…

Nigeria’s fight against poverty may find an unlikely ally in artificial intelligence. At a recent public forum in Abuja, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders argued that if applied strategically, AI could become one of the country’s most powerful tools for achieving the United Nations’ goal of eradicating poverty in all its forms. Speakers at the 4th Gilbert Onyemaelu Leadership and Diversity (GOLD) Lecture, hosted by the AEO Foundation, urged leaders to stop treating AI as a buzzword and begin embedding it into sectors where it can change lives. Prof. Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, called for practical deployment…