Author: Gift Ifeanyi

As the clocks struck midnight on January 1, 2026, Nigeria’s financial ecosystem entered a new and controversial phase of fiscal policy. The implementation of the 2026 Tax Reforms has moved from policy papers to bank statements, sparking a national conversation about the cost of moving money in a digital-first economy. The Mandatory Shift Financial institutions across the country have begun notifying customers of a significant change in their daily transactions. In compliance with the new federal mandate, banks have activated a 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on various electronic transfers. This tax is being remitted directly to the newly rebranded…

The conclusion of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) has marked a historic realignment of Nigeria’s economic and environmental foreign policy. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s return to Abuja on Saturday, January 17, following the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates, signals a decisive shift toward “Climate Capital” and high-value non-oil exports. The CEPA Framework: A Gateway to Global Markets Signed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the CEPA is far more than a standard trade pact. It creates a “Global Hub” for Nigerian goods through the UAE’s…

When MultiChoice Nigeria announced Kemi Omotosho as its new Chief Executive Officer on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, it signaled more than a leadership change; it marked the beginning of a “Customer-First” structural evolution. Succeeding John Ugbe, who retires after nearly 15 years of transformative service, Omotosho becomes the first woman to helm the country’s most visible media powerhouse. A Career Forged in the Crucible of Scale Omotosho does not arrive as a stranger to the spotlight, but as an executive seasoned by complexity. Her path to the top has been defined by a deep mastery of revenue mechanics and consumer…

For decades, Nigeria’s natural gas reserves—estimated at over 210 trillion cubic feet—were treated as a geological footnote to its oil industry. Gas was either flared as a nuisance or supplied at “sacrifice” prices that sat far below the cost of production. However, at the recent Pitching Nigerian Gas to Global Capital conference in Lagos, a new consensus emerged: the “Decade of Gas” is no longer a slogan; it is becoming a bankable reality. The Price of “National Sacrifice” Gbite Falade, CEO of Aradel Holdings, provided a sobering look at the sector’s history. Before the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021,…

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Finance Minister Wale Edun unveiled a bullish macroeconomic outlook for Nigeria, projecting a 4.68% GDP growth rate for the year. This forecast places the government’s expectations ahead of both the World Bank (4.4%) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (4.49%), signaling a “post-crisis” confidence rooted in the most aggressive fiscal reforms in a generation. 1. The Macroeconomic Scorecard: Beyond the Peak The government’s optimism is built on the cooling of the “inflationary fire” that defined 2024. Disinflation: Inflation, which reached a staggering 33% in 2024, fell to 14.45% by November 2025. The 2026 average is…

Anambra State is officially rewriting the rules of the Nigerian classroom. In a bold departure from traditional rote learning, the state government has integrated 15 high-demand entrepreneurial subjects into its Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum, effectively turning schools into vocational incubators. Beyond the Blackboard: 15 Paths to Independence The new curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between “knowing” and “doing.” Instead of just studying theory, students will now gain mastery in specialized, income-generating fields, including: The Green Tech Frontier: Solar installation and agriculture processing. Modern Infrastructure: Plumbing, tiling, POP installation, and CCTV/Intercom setup. The Digital Economy: Robotics, information technology,…

History is often made by those who build what the eye can see—skyscrapers, bridges, and roads. But the most profound transformations are often invisible. Dr. Tunde Popoola belongs to this elite category of systemic architects. He didn’t just build a company; he built the infrastructure of trust that allows Nigeria’s financial heart to beat. The Visionary Who Saw the “Information Gap” Before Dr. Popoola’s intervention, the Nigerian credit market was a wilderness of “information asymmetry.” Banks were blind to borrower history, and honest entrepreneurs were punished by high interest rates designed to cover the risk of invisible defaults. Stepping into…

In a move that blends spiritual leadership with economic empowerment, Pastor Jerry Eze, the convener of the global prayer phenomenon NSPPD, has announced a massive $300,000 (approx. ₦420 Million) intervention fund for 2026. Through the Jerry Eze Foundation, the initiative seeks to transition young Nigerians from “praying for a breakthrough” to “building a business.” 100 Visions, One Goal The program is designed to identify and accelerate 100 brilliant young minds across Nigeria. Each selected entrepreneur will receive a $3,000 (~₦4.2 Million) equity-free grant. Unlike traditional charity, this is a strategic injection of “seed capital” intended to help startups scale or…

The search for the next generation of African “Lionesses” and “Lions” has officially begun. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has opened its digital gates for the 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme, inviting visionary founders from across all 54 African nations to apply for a chance to transform their local ideas into continental empires. The TEF “Success Package” This isn’t just a grant; it’s a comprehensive “business boot camp” designed to survive the harsh realities of the African market. Selected entrepreneurs will gain access to: $5,000 Equity-Free Seed Capital: A non-refundable financial injection to move from concept to market. The TEFConnect Academy: 12…

In a landmark move to solve the “leadership deficit” in the medical field, Harley and Wall Business and Healthcare Consulting, alongside D’BusinessDoctor Mentorship Academy, has inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nexford University, a Washington DC-based pioneer in online higher education. The Hybrid Professional: Clinical Skill Meets Business Brilliance For too long, Nigeria’s healthcare professionals have faced a difficult choice: abandon their local practices to pursue international education or stay at home and miss out on global management standards. This partnership dissolves that barrier. By bringing US-accredited degrees to Nigeria via a fully online, self-paced model, doctors, nurses,…

Nigeria’s financial landscape is preparing for a radical “facelift.” Moving away from traditional, rigid structures, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has unveiled a visionary roadmap designed to turn the stock market into a powerhouse for the common citizen and the local manufacturer. Empowering the Underdog At the heart of this transformation is a bold move to bridge the gap between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the “big money” of the capital market. SEC Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, is spearheading a regulatory overhaul that makes it easier for smaller factories—particularly those in the automotive, pharmaceutical, and textile sectors—to list…

Nigeria has officially declared war on economic stagnation with the launch of the Nigerian Industrialisation Policy (NIP). Unveiled during a high-profile summit in Lagos, this isn’t just another government document—it is a unified “War Room” strategy designed to collapse the silos between trade, investment, and production. The End of Fragmented Growth For decades, Nigeria’s industrial efforts have been scattered and inconsistent. The new 2026 framework changes the game by moving away from “theory” and toward “deliberate implementation.” Developed hand-in-hand with the private sector, the policy ensures that local manufacturers and small-scale entrepreneurs are the primary drivers of growth, rather than…

As Nigeria ushers in a new era of data-driven tax reforms, the days of “fingers-crossed” bookkeeping are officially over. Enter Tradepal AI, a cutting-edge platform utilizing artificial intelligence to bridge the gap between high-speed digital trading and the rigid requirements of national tax compliance. Bridging the Web3 Compliance Gap The platform, co-founded by industry veterans Femi Adegolu and Ambassador Adebiyi Ayoyinka, arrives as a direct response to the anxiety surrounding Nigeria’s latest tax laws. For many in the informal sector, SMEs, and the burgeoning crypto market, the new reforms felt like a looming threat. Tradepal AI flips that narrative, offering…

In healthy economies, the “infrastructure of consequence” ensures that when money is borrowed, it is returned. When this system breaks down, the entire economy pays a hidden tax known as the Enforcement Premium. 1. The High Cost of Distrust When lenders don’t trust the courts to recover their money, they don’t stop lending—they just make it incredibly expensive. In many African markets, including Nigeria, banks “front-load” risk. This results in: Crushing Interest Rates: High premiums to cover potential losses. Collateral Overkill: SMEs are often asked for 150% to 180% of the loan value in assets—a barrier that kills most small…

Nigeria has officially exited the “crisis management” phase that characterized the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.1 Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook Report in Lagos, Finance Minister Wale Edun declared that the era of turbulent transitions—marked by subsidy removals and currency unification—has paved the way for a period of economic consolidation. The government’s new mandate is clear: translate macroeconomic stability into “lived experiences” for Nigerians through job creation, food security, and infrastructure resilience. 1. Key Performance Indicators: The 2025 “Steadying” Before forecasting 2026, the Minister highlighted the recovery metrics recorded over the past year.…

As of January 16, 2026, a major diplomatic and economic storm is brewing between Abuja and Washington. Ambassador Joe Keshi, Nigeria’s former permanent secretary and veteran diplomat, has issued a stark warning regarding the United States’ indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria. The policy, set to take effect on January 21, 2026, targets countries deemed “high risk” for usage of public benefits.1 Ambassador Keshi argues that this move is not merely about immigration—it is a direct threat to the $24 billion annual remittance lifeline that keeps millions of Nigerian households above the poverty…

A new paradigm has emerged among Africa’s industrial elite. The era of being a “net consumer” of global technology and commodities is being replaced by a aggressive drive toward computational and resource sovereignty. From Strive Masiyiwa’s AI factories to Femi Otedola’s total banking pivot, the continent’s wealthiest are betting on high-stakes structural shifts rather than mere survival. 1. Strive Masiyiwa: The $720M “Sovereign AI” Pivot In late 2025, Strive Masiyiwa executed a strategic transition from telecommunications to foundational AI infrastructure. Partnering with Nvidia, Masiyiwa’s Cassava Technologies is building a network of AI Factories across five key hubs: South Africa, Nigeria,…

The definition of business success in Nigeria has undergone a radical transformation. The era of “loud visibility” and “clever survival” has been replaced by a more disciplined reality. Following the full commencement of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 on January 1st, the country has moved from a reactive business environment to a structured fiscal landscape. In this new economy, growth without structure is no longer viewed as ambition—it is considered strategic exposure. To win in 2026, entrepreneurs must pivot toward a new “Scorecard” that values transparency as much as profit. 1. The First Metric: Fiscal Visibility In 2026, opacity is…

ARM Investment Managers has officially disrupted the traditional lending landscape with the launch of the ARM Private Debt Fund. This ₦200 billion shelf programme represents one of the most significant moves toward non-bank financing in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically engineered to provide “patient capital” to a segment long neglected by commercial banks. The fund arrives at a pivotal moment. While Nigerian SMEs contribute nearly 50% of the GDP, they face a staggering $158 billion financing gap. With traditional banks constrained by a 20-22% Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and rigorous regulatory hurdles, private credit is emerging as the essential bridge for industrial…

The Nigerian financial landscape is witnessing a massive capital injection from the Alert Group. Following a year of explosive growth where total assets surged from ₦2.9 billion in 2023 to a staggering ₦63 billion by the end of 2025, the Group has officially committed to a ₦130 billion loan disbursement target for 2026. This “war chest” is specifically designed to bypass traditional banking bottlenecks, providing rapid-response capital to over 60,000 active customers and a growing pool of underserved entrepreneurs. 1. The Alert Ecosystem: A Multi-Pronged Financial Machine The 2026 expansion is driven by four specialized subsidiaries, each tackling a different…