Author: Gift Ifeanyi

In a country where youth unemployment remains a pressing concern, a growing number of young Nigerians are finding new hope — not in job applications, but in entrepreneurship. One programme leading that charge is Unity Bank’s Corpreneurship Challenge, a bold initiative that is quietly transforming National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps into breeding grounds for future CEOs. Since its launch, the initiative has supported 578 young entrepreneurs nationwide, giving them not only access to startup capital but also the training, mentorship, and confidence to build thriving ventures. NYSC Camps Become Innovation Hubs The Corpreneurship Challenge takes an unconventional route —…

A powerful new wave of entrepreneurial transformation is coming to Nigeria as the Global Impact Business Community (GIBC) opens applications for its flagship Impact Conference 2025, set to take place from November 28 to 30, 2025, in Lagos. Backed by Trade Lenda, the initiative isn’t just another business summit — it’s a nationwide movement to bridge the funding and knowledge gap that holds back thousands of promising entrepreneurs. GIBC’s ambitious plan aims to unlock ₦15 billion in funding and extend capacity-building support to over 10,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a special focus on women and youth-led ventures. Turning…

As Nigeria accelerates its “Decade of Gas” vision, energy leaders and stakeholders are calling for a complete transformation of the country’s gas investment model — one that ensures profitability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. This urgent message echoed strongly during a panel discussion at the Annual Energy Conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) in Lagos, where executives from Sahara Group, Neconde Energy Limited, Rainoil Limited, and Eterna Plc stressed that the future of Nigeria’s gas industry depends on making domestic gas investments bankable and commercially viable. From Vision to Viability Panelists agreed that while Nigeria holds vast…

Akwa Ibom State is preparing to take center stage in national discourse as it gears up to host the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference, slated for December 1–5 in Uyo. Governor Umo Eno, in reaffirming his administration’s support for the event, described the forthcoming gathering as a reflection of Akwa Ibom’s rising reputation as a destination for innovation, intellectual exchange, and global-standard development. The governor made this commitment during a breakfast meeting with the NBA-SPIDEL leadership, led by Chairman Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), at the Government House in Uyo. The delegation…

At a time when Africa’s entrepreneurial and creative ecosystems are gaining global attention, Nnamdi Ekeh, Chief Executive Officer of Konga Group, has urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to cultivate a global mindset and anchor their growth strategies on innovation, structure, and collaboration. Speaking at The Atinuda Experience 5.0 in Lagos—an annual gathering themed “From Local to Global Creative Transformations”—Ekeh emphasized that the path to building world-class African enterprises lies in embracing global standards while leveraging local ingenuity. Africa’s Moment on the Global Stage Ekeh noted that Africa’s business and creative sectors stand at a defining crossroads. With technology democratizing access and global…

At the opening of TechCabal’s Moonshot 2025 conference in Lagos, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, set a new tone for Africa’s innovation narrative — one that calls for trust, collaboration, and shared purpose between policymakers and the tech ecosystem. Oduwole revealed that the federal government is actively engaging with African partners to expand market access for Nigerian startups and digital service providers, signaling a shift toward a continent-wide strategy for innovation-driven trade. “Government and the ecosystem must begin to trust each other,” she urged. “We are engaging with key African partners to open markets for Nigerian…

At the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the UBA Group, called for deeper collaboration between African governments, global financial institutions, and private sector leaders to break the structural barriers limiting the continent’s participation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. Speaking during a high-level session themed “Boosting Productivity Growth in the Digital Age,” where he shared the stage with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Elumelu stressed that Africa must not be left behind as AI reshapes global economies. “AI should democratize prosperity, not deepen inequality,” he said. “For Africa to benefit, we must…

Growing unease is spreading across Nigeria as recent demolition exercises in Lagos State raise deeper questions about ethnic coexistence and government accountability.What began as an urban renewal initiative has now stirred a wave of discontent, particularly among the Igbo business community, whose properties have reportedly been most affected. Observers fear that the unfolding events could become a flashpoint for renewed ethnic distrust if leaders at both the state and federal levels fail to act with urgency and fairness. Community advocates argue that the demolitions, justified by authorities as part of enforcement against illegal structures, appear unevenly implemented, leading to accusations…

In a bold step toward closing the gender gap in Nigeria’s innovation space, the Aurora Tech Award has launched a groundbreaking accelerator to equip women-led startups with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to thrive in the global tech economy. The new initiative, titled “Foundry for HER Bootcamp,” is a three-day virtual accelerator developed in partnership with The Nest Innovation Technology Park Ltd. Scheduled to run from October 15 to 17, 2025, the programme will mentor and train over 120 early-stage female founders across Nigeria in the fundamentals of business growth, from fundraising and pitching to scaling beyond local markets.…

In Edo State, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway. Local entrepreneurs are beginning to see technology not as an accessory, but as the engine of growth driving small and medium-sized businesses into a digital future. At the heart of this shift is a new government-backed grant initiative that’s equipping business owners with both funding and the knowledge to scale. The programme, spearheaded by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, is giving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) the tools to strengthen their operations, enhance marketing, and compete more effectively.…

In a quiet corner of Ogun State, the scent of fresh peppers fills the air — but there’s no soil in sight. Instead, trays of vegetables hang in neat rows, their roots nestled in coco peat and fed by precise drips of nutrient-rich water. This is Soilless Farm Lab, a place where farming meets technology, and where young Nigerians are reshaping what it means to grow food. Among them is Babajide Taofeek, a recent agricultural economics graduate who never imagined he’d find his calling inside a greenhouse. “This isn’t farming the way my father did it,” he says with a…

Across Nigeria, a wave of quiet determination is set to sweep through Igbo communities on October 20, 2025. From the bustling markets of Onitsha to the busy plazas of Lagos, shutters will roll down, engines will stop, and trade will pause — not in protest of commerce, but in defense of justice. The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) Worldwide has declared the day a total business shutdown across all Igbo-owned markets, shops, companies, and transport lines. The move is in solidarity with the peaceful march to Aso Rock, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, to demand the unconditional release of detained IPOB…

In a country bursting with entrepreneurial energy yet plagued by a deepening skills gap, Hamilton Ezeonu, the Managing Director and CEO of Hamthel Holdings, believes Nigeria’s biggest challenge isn’t infrastructure or funding — it’s people readiness. At the grand opening of Hamthel Holdings’ new head office in Lagos, Ezeonu shared a sobering observation: while Nigeria’s youth are ambitious, many lack the patience, discipline, and long-term mindset required to sustain real growth.“The hardest part of running a business here is not finding money; it’s finding people who are ready to grow,” he said. “I still need 15 to 20 employees today,…

At the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Washington, D.C., IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva called attention to the mounting fiscal damage caused by Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) from Nigeria — a challenge she said continues to drain public resources and undermine economic stability. Georgieva described illicit outflows as “a major threat to fiscal sustainability,” pledging a renewed IMF focus on tracing such transactions to help Nigeria and other developing countries close persistent revenue gaps. “For countries like Nigeria, the IMF’s renewed focus on tracing Illicit Financial Flows could provide a blueprint for…

In a decisive move signaling renewed confidence in Nigeria’s energy potential, Shell and its partner, Sunlink Energies, have given the green light to the HI offshore gas project — a $2 billion investment that could reshape the nation’s LNG landscape and reinforce Shell’s expanding global gas ambitions. Far from being just another oilfield development, the HI field stands as a cornerstone in Shell’s plan to power Nigeria LNG’s Train 7 expansion — a critical link in the chain driving Africa’s liquefied natural gas exports to the world. Once fully operational, the project is expected to deliver 350 million standard cubic…

What began years ago as a humble grill on a Lagos street has now become a movement of empowerment. Sooyah Bistro, the beloved Nigerian food brand, has stepped beyond the boundaries of the kitchen to light up the dreams of young entrepreneurs through its new initiative — “Sooyah Dreams.” The programme, which ran in early September 2025, wasn’t just about handing out cheques — it was about rewriting the story of what’s possible when courage meets opportunity. Over half a million naira was awarded to promising innovators across Nigeria who are daring to turn small ideas into thriving ventures. At…

For countless women across Nigeria, the dream of growing a business often ends at the doorstep of a bank — where funding seems out of reach. But that story may finally be changing. The Bank of Industry (BOI) has launched a groundbreaking initiative — the Guaranteed Loans for Women (GLOW) Fund — setting aside ₦10 billion to empower women-owned and women-led enterprises nationwide. The fund isn’t just about lending money; it’s about rewriting the rules that have long excluded women from equal financial access. Designed with flexibility and inclusivity in mind, GLOW offers guaranteed, low-interest loans with simpler requirements and…

The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Management and Administration (IEAMA) has launched a new initiative, Finance Meet Entrepreneur 2025, aimed at strengthening partnerships between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and financial institutions to accelerate Nigeria’s economic development. The event, held in Lagos, also featured the induction of new members and recognition of the vital contributions of microfinance institutions to business sustainability and poverty reduction across the country. Driving Entrepreneurial Professionalism Speaking at the launch, IEAMA’s Acting Registrar, Jerry Ibeh, said the institute is committed to redefining entrepreneurship by integrating professionalism and structure into Nigeria’s business landscape. He emphasized that one…

Nigeria must strengthen its institutions, improve data reliability, and entrench ethical leadership if it hopes to withstand future economic shocks and global uncertainties. This was the central message at the 24th Annual International Conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), which concluded recently. The conference, themed “Global Risks, Local Solutions,” convened leading policymakers, regulators, economists, and financial experts to examine how Nigeria can navigate global volatility while fostering resilience within its economy. Delivering his remarks, CRMI President and Chairman, Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke, underscored the urgency of adopting proactive, risk-based strategies to safeguard fiscal stability. “Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness…

As Nigeria navigates a rapidly evolving economic and corporate landscape, the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria is positioning its upcoming 2025 Annual Directors’ Conference (ADC) as a critical platform for redefining leadership and strengthening national governance. Set to take place in Abuja later this month, the conference will explore the theme “Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises.” More than just a gathering, it represents a call to action — uniting directors, policymakers, regulators, and innovators to rethink how institutions can thrive amid uncertainty. Adetunji Oyebanji, President and Chairman of the CIoD Governing Council, described the event as…