Author: Gift Ifeanyi

The Paul J. Peters Foundation, led by founder Jide Peters, has launched a transformative documentary series titled “A New Nigeria Is Here.” Moving beyond the dominant narrative of economic hardship, the series serves as a high-definition lens into the country’s “hidden” successes, showcasing how synergy between the public and private sectors is driving a quiet industrial revolution. The project is more than just a broadcast; it is a strategic effort to rebuild national confidence and prove that sustainable development is already occurring at the community and corporate levels. Innovation Spotlight: From Drones to Solar Energy The documentary features a new…

As Nigeria enters 2026, the startup ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental shift from “growth at all costs” to “resilient innovation.” While 2025 saw a 17% decline in total funding—dipping to $343 million amid currency volatility—the underlying digital economy is on a trajectory to nearly double its 2021 valuation, reaching a projected $18.3 billion by year-end. 1. The 2026 Market Outlook The narrative of 2026 is defined by maturity. Despite the “funding winter” of the previous year, the maturation of cloud services, fintech infrastructure, and nationwide connectivity is creating a more stable foundation for high-value enterprises. 2. Four Strategic Pillars for…

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Mastercard Foundation have officially concluded Phase I of the Innovative Youth in Agriculture (I-Youth) initiative. Since its launch in 2020, the program has emerged as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agrifood transformation, generating over 90,000 employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerian youth, women, and persons with disabilities. 1. Scaling the Agrifood Ecosystem The program targeted five key states—Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Jigawa, and Adamawa—focusing on bridging the gap between traditional farming and modern agribusiness. Agribusiness Creation: The initiative facilitated the establishment of 36,053 youth-led agribusinesses. Infrastructure: Development of agribusiness parks, innovation hubs, and…

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a strategic shift in the nation’s energy and agricultural landscape. Following recent facility inspections at major industrial sites like Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals, the Authority has signaled that Nigeria is on the verge of ending fertilizer imports entirely. 1. The 2028 Export Timeline According to NMDPRA Chief Executive Saidu Mohammed, Nigeria is positioning itself to become a primary hub for value-added oil and gas products. Ending Imports: The continued importation of urea and fertilizers is no longer considered justifiable given the surge in domestic production capacity. Urea Export…

Launched in Abuja, Paypaxe is a new financial management platform designed to solve two of the most significant challenges facing the Nigerian workforce: the complexity of business payroll compliance and the high barrier to entry for homeownership. Founded by Ms. Belema Mary Maxwell, the platform aims to move Nigerian SMEs away from informal “manual” systems toward a structured, automated future. 1. Modernizing the SME Payroll Lifecycle Many Nigerian businesses still rely on bank officers or ad hoc spreadsheets to manage salaries, which often leads to errors in tax calculations and non-compliance with national laws. Paypaxe addresses this through: Automated Deductions:…

As Nigeria enters a transformative fiscal period marked by the comprehensive tax reforms of January 1, 2026, a new technological solution is emerging from the academic and tech corridors of Kano. Professor Aminu Bello Usman, an Associate Professor of Computer Science at York St John University, has unveiled WAZOBIA-Invoice, a platform specifically engineered to bridge the gap between traditional trading and modern tax compliance. 1. The 2026 Tax Context The recent reforms mandate that even micro and small enterprises (SMEs) maintain verifiable digital footprints of their transactions. For many Nigerian traders—from the markets of Sabon Gari to the boutiques of…

As of early 2026, the Nigerian economic landscape presents a stark paradox: while nominal wages have reached historic highs, the “real” value of the average worker’s take-home pay has suffered a multi-trillion naira erosion. This report analyzes the divergence between the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) figures and the lived experience of the Nigerian workforce. 1. The Real Value Deficit Recent data reveals that Nigerian workers lost approximately ₦2.79 trillion ($1.97 billion) in purchasing power over the recent review period. Nominal Growth: Employee salaries increased nominally by 18.43%, rising to ₦75.59 trillion in 2024 from ₦63.83 trillion in 2023. Real…

As of January 20, 2026, Seplat Energy PLC, in partnership with the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), has officially achieved “First Gas” at the ANOH Gas Processing Plant. Located in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, this $700 million project represents one of the most significant domestic gas developments in Nigeria’s history. 1. Operational Launch and Infrastructure The project reached this milestone following the completion of the 11km Indorama gas export pipeline and formal regulatory approval from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Technical Specifications: Processing Capacity: Designed to process 300 million standard cubic feet per day…

At the Lagos Province 35 Economic Summit of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Saturday, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, delivered a stark warning: Nigeria’s vast population is a “pressure point” rather than an asset if it remains decoupled from industrial productivity. The Minister’s address centered on the Nigeria-First policy, a strategic mandate introduced by President Bola Tinubu in 2025 designed to force a shift in the nation’s economic DNA—from an import-dependent consumer base to a rule-based production powerhouse. 1. The Power of the Purchase Order Minister Owan Enoh identified government procurement as…

In the volatile world of Nigerian retail, surviving five years is a feat; reaching ten is a masterclass in resilience. As Rifugio (Italian for “Refuge”) celebrates a decade of operations, its leadership reflects on a journey that transformed a “pet project” into a 25-outlet powerhouse. In a candid retrospective on the electronics industry in 2026, the brand’s architect breaks down the myths of “cheap imports,” the reality of operating costs, and why Nigeria remains a “rose bush” worth the scars. 1. The Price Myth: Why “Cheaper in China” is a Fallacy A common grievance among Nigerian consumers is that smartphones…

In a landscape where over 60% of urban workers rely on informal transport systems, the “commuter stress” of Lagos and other Nigerian cities has become a silent drain on national GDP. Milon Express, a technology-driven mobility company, has officially launched its suite of solutions designed to transform the daily commute from a physical struggle into a seamless experience. The Problem: The Hidden Cost of the 9-to-5 Co-Founder Olowofela Olabode (CFA) highlights that for the average Nigerian worker, the workday begins long before they reach the office. Between unpredictable fares and overcrowded buses, employees arrive at work mentally and physically exhausted.…

In a milestone for Nigeria’s energy sector, Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell PLC, has formally credited the current administration for a “sea change” in the nation’s investment climate. During a meeting at the Presidential Villa in January 2026, Sawan revealed that Shell and its partners are assessing a $20 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) for the Bonga South West project—the most significant energy commitment in Africa in a generation. 1. A Climate of Stability For years, regulatory bottlenecks and fiscal uncertainty saw international oil companies (IOCs) eyeing the exit. Sawan admitted that Shell was not always keen to invest, but…

A new chapter in West African-Eurasian diplomacy unfolds this Monday as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, embarks on his maiden official visit to Türkiye. The high-level talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan signify a deepening partnership between two of the most influential members of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation. Economic Milestones: A Billion-Dollar Trajectory The relationship has evolved far beyond traditional diplomacy into a robust economic engine. Trade Volume: In the first 11 months of 2025 alone, bilateral trade (excluding energy) reached $688.4 million. The Energy Factor: When energy is accounted for, Nigeria secured its position as Türkiye’s…

As Nigeria intensifies its 2026 push for economic diversification, the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) sector has moved from the periphery to the dead center of the national agenda. Often described as the “backbone” of the economy, these businesses are no longer just optional growth contributors; they are the primary shock absorbers for millions of Nigerian households. The Bedrock of Resilience From the tech-enabled startups in Yaba to the agribusiness clusters in the North, SMEs represent the vast majority of Nigerian business establishments. Their role becomes most critical during periods of macroeconomic stress—when multinational corporations downsize or exit, it is…

In a move to resolve years of internal friction and data ambiguity, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially launched an electronic membership registration drive. The initiative, flagged off in January 2026, aims to build a verifiable database of at least 600,000 members, effectively “weeding out” ghost names that have historically plagued party registers. Moving Beyond the “Ghost” Era For years, membership registration in Rivers State has been a flashpoint for intra-party conflict, with rival camps often accusing one another of manipulating lists to favor specific factions. By transitioning to a digital-first platform, the party…

Rukayat Alabi is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, global speaker, and a leading voice in the campaign for tech and business diversity. As the visionary behind RKY Careers and the “Limitless Without Borders” movement, she has dedicated her career to helping underrepresented professionals and immigrants transition into high-impact roles. In this dialogue, she examines Nigeria’s talent gap, the power of digital literacy, and why the diaspora is a critical engine for national growth. The Disconnect in Nigerian Education Nigeria is currently facing a triple threat: high unemployment, underemployment, and a widening skills gap. Where has the preparation of our workforce missed…

In the vibrant landscape of Nigerian fashion, where talent is abundant but structure is often scarce, John Ariyo is carving out a legacy of “African Excellence.” As a Political Science graduate from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ariyo didn’t just want to be a tailor; he set out to be an architect of a sustainable fashion ecosystem. Today, as the Founder and Creative Director of JohnnieFits, he is proving that premium menswear can be built on a foundation of rigorous systems and global standards. Beyond the Needle: The “System-First” Philosophy The journey of JohnnieFits began with a simple but profound…

In the competitive landscape of Nigeria’s 2026 economy, the mantra in Abuja last Saturday was uncompromising: “No sales, no business.” This was the driving force behind the second edition of the Sales Power Conference (SPC 2.0), a high-stakes summit where over 300 entrepreneurs, CEOs, and professionals gathered to bridge the gap between having a product and actually closing the deal. Beyond Theory: The Economics of Closing The convener, Dr. Femi Joshua, opened the summit by stripping away the fluff often found at business seminars. For Joshua, sales execution is the ultimate survival metric for any Nigerian enterprise. He pointed to…

As of early 2026, Nigeria’s economic stability is increasingly linked to the survival of its family-owned enterprises. While these firms contribute $200 billion annually to the GDP and account for 60% of MSME jobs, a critical “legacy gap” remains: roughly 70% of Nigerian family businesses fail to survive the transition to the second generation. 1. The Coleman Case Study: A 50-Year Milestone In 2025, Coleman Technical Industries Limited celebrated its 50th anniversary, a rare feat in the Nigerian manufacturing sector. Managing Director George Onafowokan attributes this longevity to a 24-year intentional transition that began in 2001. The Strategy: Moving from…

For a fortnight, a dense Harmattan shroud descended upon Kano, transforming the bustling metropolis into a landscape of grey uncertainty. This wasn’t merely a meteorological event; it was a digital disruption that hampered vision and paralyzed the state’s economic momentum. In the heart of Nigeria’s trading capital, basic interactions became a strenuous effort. As shops delayed their openings and internet signals flickered like dying embers, the city faced a harsh realization: its connectivity was under siege. A Digital Lifeline for the Festive Rush With the sacred month of Ramadan drawing near and the anticipation of Eid-el-Fitr mounting, the stakes for…