Author: Gift Ifeanyi

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is intensifying efforts to empower Nigerian youths—who constitute the majority of the population—through innovative credit facilities and capacity-building programs. Under Governor Olayemi Cardoso’s leadership, the focus has shifted toward financial inclusion and entrepreneurship support, creating new opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive. Addressing Financial Barriers for Youths With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, the country has immense potential for economic expansion. However, many young entrepreneurs face significant hurdles such as limited access to finance, inadequate business training, and restrictive loan conditions imposed by commercial banks. In response, Cardoso’s administration…

The Lagos State Government, through the Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), has empowered 78 entrepreneurs with disabilities by providing them with seed funding and essential work tools to boost their businesses. This initiative is designed to break economic barriers for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state, ensuring they achieve financial independence and contribute meaningfully to society. Empowering PWDs Beyond Financial Aid Speaking at the Financing and Upskilling Project for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, held at the STO Resource Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, emphasized that the empowerment program is a major step toward fostering…

From selling snacks on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, to securing a finance manager role at Amazon in Seattle, Washington, Precious Ezealigo’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of generosity. “As a kid, I sold groundnuts and chin chin at school to help my family while repeating grades. Now, I’m about to graduate from the Darden School of Business.” As she prepares to graduate from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business in May, Ezealigo reflects on a journey shaped by hardship, perseverance, and a deep commitment to mentorship and leadership. Overcoming Challenges: A Path…

In a time when economic inclusion for women in Nigeria remains a critical issue, the fusion of fashion, entrepreneurship, and digital technology is emerging as a transformative solution. Leading this movement is Oyidiya Ajike-Mbah, the visionary founder of the Garment Factory and Fashion Label IVÓ, and more recently, the IVÓ Fashionpreneur Academy (IFA). Through the Scaling Fashion Project, a youth empowerment initiative in partnership with the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE), IFA is revolutionizing the Nigerian fashion industry by equipping young women with the skills and opportunities needed to achieve financial independence. Nigeria’s Fashion Industry: A Billion-Dollar Opportunity Nigeria’s…

At the prestigious Global Business Conclave in London, renowned entrepreneur and humanitarian Amb. (Dr.) StellaRita Awelle Nwachukwu Asogwa was honored with the Global Power Leader Award 2025. This distinguished recognition celebrates her exceptional contributions to global business and her tireless humanitarian efforts, reinforcing her status as a shining example of Nigerian excellence on the world stage. A Well-Deserved Honor The Global Power Leader Award is a prestigious accolade given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to societal impact. Dr. Asogwa’s unwavering dedication to empowering communities, promoting entrepreneurship, and driving social change has earned her this recognition.…

“We are equipping our young people with the skills to compete and thrive on the global stage.” – President Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths with world-class skills in digital literacy, technical expertise, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries. Speaking at the official launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) on Monday in Abuja, Tinubu described the initiative as a bold response to unemployment, poverty, and other challenges hindering national progress. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, he emphasized that a nation’s success is defined by how well it prepares its young population…

Retnan Daser, founder of Everyday Money, is among the African entrepreneurs making waves on the global stage. His inspiring journey—from building fintech solutions in Nigeria to securing the French Tech Visa—highlights the challenges and opportunities of expanding a business internationally. Overcoming Setbacks: From the UK to France Speaking at the Open Day session of eMigr8, Daser shared how his initial attempt to secure the UK Innovator Visa was unsuccessful due to poor structuring of his application. “I had the right profile, but I didn’t structure my application effectively,” he admitted. “Looking back, with the right guidance, the process would have…

Leading real estate professionals and policymakers gathered on Friday for the fourth annual Veritasi Realtors Conference, where they explored innovation, investment strategies, and the evolving real estate landscape in Nigeria. The conference featured a distinguished panel, including Dr. Jubril Salaudeen (Business Strategist, Lagos Business School), Bola Raheem (Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development), Gbenga Osowe (CEO, Buyletlive), and Tobi Yusuff (Partner, Veritasi Homes and Properties). Together, they discussed the theme: “Navigating the Future of Real Estate: Innovation, Investment & Impact.” Government’s Digital Transformation in Real Estate Addressing the Lagos State government’s efforts to modernize the sector, Bola Raheem highlighted…

TECO Group is set to introduce its latest breakthrough in palm oil processing—the dual-purpose screw press and digester—at the upcoming Agrofood & Plast Printpack Nigeria exhibition. This innovative machine integrates two crucial processes—fruit digestion and oil extraction—into a single, efficient unit. Designed to enhance productivity for small-scale palm oil processors, the machine aims to maximize oil yield, minimize waste, and streamline operations, particularly during peak harvest seasons. “This new machine marks a major advancement in palm oil processing,” stated Funmi Babatunde-Dada, Executive Director of TECO Group. “For 45 years, we’ve developed both semi-automated and fully automated palm oil processing plants…

The Exponential Conference 2025 organized by The Exponential Network, an initiative of The Elevation Church, recently concluded its 9th Nigerian edition at the **Pistis Conference Centre** in Lekki, Lagos. Held from February 24th to 26th, the conference brought together over 5,000 church leaders, ministers, and faith-based professionals** from across Africa and beyond, reaffirming its role as a premier platform for ministry empowerment and leadership transformation.  A Broader Vision: Leadership Beyond the Pulpit Under the theme “Intelligent Fire,” this year’s conference expanded its reach to include business leaders, recognizing the growing intersection between **faith and leadership in various spheres of influence**.…

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), in collaboration with NNPC Ltd. and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has officially unveiled the program for the 2025 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). With the theme “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development,” the event is set to attract top industry leaders to Houston, Texas, USA, for one of the world’s largest gatherings in the energy sector. Event Highlights and Schedule Day 1 – Monday, May 5, 2025 Venue: Nigerian Pavilion, NRG Park, Houston, TX Formal opening by Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).…

Nigeria’s export sector faces significant challenges, with high interest rates on loans and poor infrastructure being major obstacles for entrepreneurs looking to compete in global markets. Financial Barriers to Export Growth According to Mrs. Aminat Animashaun, Treasurer of the Oyo State Shippers Association, expensive credit facilities make it difficult for businesses to finance production for export. “If the government can reduce high interest rates, the cost of locally made goods will decrease. This will make Nigerian products more competitive in pricing while maintaining or exceeding imported goods in quality,” she said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria…

Across Nigeria’s dynamic markets, a unique form of innovation thrives—constraint-driven innovation. Unlike Silicon Valley start-ups, which benefit from abundant capital and infrastructure, Nigerian entrepreneurs have learned to transform obstacles into competitive advantages. Take Blessing, for instance, who launched a design studio in Lagos. Faced with unreliable electricity, she didn’t just buy a generator or wait for better infrastructure. Instead, she restructured her business model, creating a distributed team where designers in different neighborhoods collaborated based on power availability. What started as a survival tactic evolved into a scalable advantage, enabling her business to expand across three countries while competitors remained…

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has announced a $15 million grant to empower 3,000 young entrepreneurs across 52 African countries, reinforcing its commitment to fostering economic growth on the continent. The announcement was made by Tony Elumelu, the Founder of TEF and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and UBA, during the unveiling of the 2025 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in Abuja. Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs Each selected entrepreneur will receive a $5,000 seed grant to launch or expand their business. Speaking at the event, Elumelu emphasized that the foundation’s mission is to democratize opportunities for African…

Nigerian-born entrepreneur Tade Oyerinde has successfully raised $46 million in Series B funding for his community college startup, Campus, a venture revolutionizing higher education accessibility in the United States. The funding round, led by General Catalyst, was announced on March 20, pushing Campus’ total funding beyond $100 million—a testament to growing interest in alternative, tech-driven educational models. Campus: Making Higher Education Affordable and Accessible Campus is on a mission to provide affordable, high-quality online education, offering associate degrees and certifications in fields such as business administration, medical assisting, and applied artificial intelligence. This approach directly addresses rising student debt and…

The 8th edition of the Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises Summit and Awards (Nigeria SME Awards) is set to take place in Lagos for the first time, marking a significant milestone for this prestigious event. Endorsed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the annual awards celebrate the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit driving Nigeria’s economy, especially amid global challenges such as inflation, geopolitical instability, and economic downturns. Recognizing SME Champions This year’s event will recognize not just outstanding entrepreneurs but also state governors who have implemented transformative policies to support local businesses. Governors from Zamfara,…

Achieving Nigeria’s ambitious $1 trillion economy target requires a strategic focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which already play a vital role in the nation’s economic landscape. President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly emphasized this goal, envisioning a $1 trillion economy within three years and a $3 trillion economy by 2030. To turn this vision into reality, experts suggest key reforms to empower SMEs and enhance their contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Creating an Enabling Regulatory Environment Anthony Chinwe, CEO of De-SME Facilitators Limited, emphasizes that an enabling regulatory framework is essential for SMEs to thrive. The government…

Demola, an economics graduate, sits behind a desk in a Lagos banking hall, attending to customers with the professionalism expected of a full-time employee. His crisp shirt and tie blend seamlessly into the corporate environment, but beneath this polished image lies a harsh reality—he is a contract staff member, earning significantly less than his full-time colleagues despite doing the same job. “I work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., sometimes even later, yet my salary barely covers my transportation and feeding,” he lamented. “The worst part? The company pays double my salary for my role, but the outsourcing firm takes…

For the first time in its history, the prestigious Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Summit and Awards will be held in the heart of Lagos, marking a new chapter in the celebration of entrepreneurship and economic resilience in Nigeria. Endorsed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), this annual event has become a key highlight on the nation’s entrepreneurial calendar. It recognizes outstanding individuals and institutions that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the SME sector, which remains a vital pillar of Nigeria’s economy. Recognizing Resilience Amid Global Challenges Despite economic hardships fueled by…

A coalition of female entrepreneurs is urging the government and financial institutions to eliminate barriers that hinder women’s economic participation, calling for urgent reforms to boost financial inclusion and business opportunities. During a virtual Women’s Economic Empowerment Media Conversation, organized by Gatefield, a non-governmental organization, speakers highlighted major challenges such as gender-insensitive policies, restrictive loan conditions, limited access to property, and a lack of awareness about available financial opportunities. The discussion was inspired by a recent report from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where women expressed their aspirations for financial independence and greater economic influence. Gender Bias and Financial…