Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Dr. Babs Omotowa, President of the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), has called for a radical shift in African education to produce problem-solvers, not just degree-holders. In a recent statement, he emphasized that African institutions must prioritize ethical leadership, innovation, and hands-on skills to drive the continent’s digital transformation. 1. The Urgent Need for a New Curriculum Africa’s education systems must evolve to focus on: Problem-solving (not just theory) Entrepreneurship & leadership Cutting-edge tech (AI, robotics, cybersecurity) “The world is changing fast. We need graduates who can lead, not just follow,” Omotowa stressed. 2. NUTM’s Hands-On, Global Approach Faculty from MIT, Yale, INSEAD design programs…

Nigerian Breweries Plc has introduced its EDGE program (“Empowerment to Drive Growth & Excellence”), a comprehensive training initiative designed to strengthen its nationwide distribution network. The program will equip 360 high-value retailers and sub-distributors across 12 regions with essential business skills for sustainable growth. Program Highlights: 360 beneficiaries selected from key retail outlets and sub-distributors 12 regional markets covered in the nationwide rollout Hybrid training model combining in-person sessions, virtual modules, and practical activities Curriculum focuses on inventory management, financial literacy, CRM, digital sales, and business ethics Strategic Business Investment Corporate Affairs Director Uzodinma Odenigbo emphasized the program’s dual benefit: “This isn’t just corporate…

Steering Nigeria’s Economy Through Turbulent Times As Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.4% in 2024 – its fastest pace in a decade – Zenith Bank emerged as a pillar of stability, exceeding its ₦500bn ($315M) recapitalization target while driving financial inclusion and digital transformation. The bank’s 2024 performance demonstrates how strategic agility turns macroeconomic challenges into opportunities. Digital Transformation Milestones  AI-Powered Banking: ZIVA chatbot processes 2M+ monthly queries via WhatsApp AI-enhanced fraud detection reduced scams by 40% Hyper-personalized CRM boosts customer satisfaction to 92%  Cloud Migration: 100% core banking systems now cloud-based Transaction processing speed improved by 65%  Financial Inclusion: ZMONEY agency network: 120,000 agents across 774 LGAs eaZybyZenith wallet onboarded…

Regulatory Thaw: SEC Greenlights Stablecoin Innovation Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has declared the country “open for stablecoin business”, marking a strategic pivot from its 2024 crypto crackdown. At the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit, SEC DG Emomotimi Agama outlined plans to position Lagos as “the stablecoin hub of the global South” within five years. Key Developments  Regulatory Sandbox Live: Multiple stablecoin firms already testing under SEC supervision Focus on compliant players with “Nigerian market protection” frameworks  Pan-African Vision: Goal to create a Nigerian stablecoin powering cross-border trade across Africa Target: $50B+ in annual intra-African settlements by 2030  Policy Shift Context: Follows 2024 Binance crackdown that saw executive detention Now balancing innovation with EFCC’s anti-corruption…

Bridge & Value and Alex Boyo World Launch Exclusive Paris Trade Mission Nigerian businesses eyeing European expansion can now access high-level networking and investment opportunities through a bespoke trade mission to Paris from September 22-26, 2025. The initiative, organized by Bridge & Value and Alex Boyo World (ABW), connects entrepreneurs with French investors, policymakers, and Europe’s top innovation hubs. Mission Highlights  Spotlight Nigeria Business Forum (8th Edition) Europe’s premier investment summit focused on Nigeria Partners include: French & Nigerian Embassies Council of French Investors in Africa Office of the Nigerian Vice-President Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce  BIG 2025 – Europe’s Largest Entrepreneur Summit Hosted by Bpifrance (France’s state investment…

Wale Tinubu Charts New Growth Path for Oando Nigerian energy giant Oando Plc, led by oil mogul Wale Tinubu, is preparing to raise N500 billion ($327.5 million) through a combination of equity and debt financing. The move aims to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and fund new business opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving energy sector. Key Details of the Capital Raise  Funding Target: Up to N500 billion ($327.5M) Method: 10 billion new shares via public/private offerings, rights issues, or debt conversions Potential $1.5 billion multi-instrument program (bonds, notes) for future flexibility Debt Restructuring: Conversion of $300M existing loans to equity  Next Steps: Shareholder vote at 46th AGM Regulatory approvals pending Why This Matters  Financial…

Multi-talented actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist Jennifer Ephraim has been honored with the prestigious Most Influential Beauty Queen of the Year award at the star-studded Golden Stars Awards 2025 held in Lagos. A Celebration of Excellence The Golden Stars Awards, known for recognizing outstanding achievements in entertainment, business and sports, selected Ephraim for her remarkable contributions to Nollywood and her impactful humanitarian work through her Queen Jennifer Ephraim Foundation. From Beauty Queen to Screen Queen The Anambra-born star, affectionately called Queen Jenny, has built an impressive acting portfolio with notable roles in: ✔ Second Wives ✔ Love and Desperation ✔ Odogwu Finds a Wife ✔ The Waiter ✔ Flames…

Industry Titan Recognized for Youth Empowerment Oilden Energies MD Oluwatoni Oladiran has publicly commended Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, Executive Chairman of Geoplex Nigeria Limited and PETAN Chairman, for his transformative mentorship of young entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Why Ogunsanya Stands Out  Startup Champion: Provides critical guidance and resources to energy startups in their formative stages. PETAN Reformer: Revitalized the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria to maximize local content value. Economic Catalyst: Mobilizes indigenous firms to support FG’s diversification agenda, creating sustainable jobs. Key Impact Areas: Strengthening Nigerian-owned oil service companies Bridging knowledge gaps for young energy entrepreneurs Advocating for local content development Industry Testimonial…

The Wake-Up Call That Redefined Africa’s Tech Opportunity Daniel Iloh, founder of Daniel Iloh Limited and co-creator of Selstack, returned from London Tech Week 2025 with a transformative insight: “Africa isn’t behind in tech – it’s underserved.” His experience at the global summit has reshaped his mission to bridge the digital divide with practical, Africa-first solutions. Key Revelations from London Tech Week  The Access Gap: While global tech focuses on AI and Web3, African entrepreneurs need simple tools to sell and scale – without coding or complex systems. “The solutions being developed are for advanced ecosystems, but Africa needs clarity over complexity,” Iloh noted.  The Selstack Solution: A no-code…

₦1 Million Business Grant for Nigerian Entrepreneurs The Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation has launched its 2025 SeedInvest Grant, offering ₦1 million in funding plus mentorship to empower Nigeria’s next generation of business leaders. This initiative targets early-stage entrepreneurs tackling unemployment and driving economic growth. Key Details  Grant Value: ₦1,000,000 (asset funding) Eligibility: ✔ Nigerian citizens aged 22–45 ✔ Registered businesses (CAC) operational for 6+ months ✔ Valid TIN, business account, and product certifications Deadline: July 27, 2025 Sectors Supported: • Tech • Fashion • Agriculture • Food Services • Clean Energy • More Why Apply?  Funding: Scale your business with ₦1M in capital. Mentorship: Access expert guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs. Network: Join…

Why Nigerian Businesses Are Saying “Lease It, Don’t Buy It” The global equipment leasing market is booming, reaching $1.86 trillion in 2024 (ELAN), with Nigeria’s lease volume growing 28.7% YoY to ₦4.19 trillion in 2023. LECON Finance Company Limited, a pioneer in Nigeria’s leasing sector since 1977, reveals how this financing model is transforming businesses across critical sectors. Leasing by the Numbers  Global Market: 2023: $1.55 trillion 2024: $1.86 trillion (est.)  Nigeria’s Growth: 2022: ₦3.25 trillion 2023: ₦4.19 trillion (+28.7%) LECON’s Sectoral Impact  Agriculture: Funded 230+ projects, including mechanized equipment for smallholder farmers Reduced post-harvest losses for tomato farmers by 40%  Healthcare: Modernized diagnostic…

Unlocking Nigeria’s Economic Potential Through Mass Financial Literacy A bold new national campaign, the “100 Million Smart Investors Initiative,” aims to equip small business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools to invest wisely, bridging the gap between Nigeria’s informal sector and formal investment channels. With less than 5% of adults participating in the capital market and only 0.25% investing in mutual funds, this initiative seeks to mobilize trillions of dormant naira into productive sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and tech. Why This Matters  The Problem: Fraud & Distrust: Trillions lost to scams have kept Nigerians away from formal investments. Underfunded SMEs: Limited access to capital stifles growth for…

Groundbreaking Fund Targets Nigeria’s Neglected Cooperative Sector Mechanized Agricultural Investment and Services (MAIS), a leading Nigerian agri-tech company, has launched the $5 billion AssuredInvest Cooperative Trust Fund – Africa’s largest cooperative-focused financial vehicle designed to empower farmers, SMEs, and housing cooperatives. Key Features of the Fund  Capital Pool: $5 billion (Initial phase) Partners: Maistrade Multipurpose Cooperative Society Terra Industries Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) National Agricultural Cooperative Organisation (NACO)  Sectors Covered: ✔ Agriculture (70% allocation) ✔ Affordable Housing ✔ Youth Enterprise Clusters ✔ Small Business Cooperatives Why This Matters  Untapped Potential: Nigeria’s cooperative sector manages over ₦3 trillion in dormant assets (NACO 2024) Food Security: Fund…

British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria has challenged public and private sector leaders to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into Nigeria’s economic blueprint, positioning sustainability as the cornerstone of industrial growth. The call was made at the Green Business Breakfast Meeting hosted at Lagos’ John Randle Centre, where BAT showcased its ESG leadership and unveiled collaborative pathways for Nigeria’s green transition. Key Highlights from the Forum 1. BAT’s ESG Leadership Zero Waste to Landfill: All operational sites achieved 100% waste diversion. Renewable Energy Pledge: Targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Workplace Safety: Zero lost-time incidents since 2021. 2. Multi-Sector Collaboration BAT’s ESG Forum, now in its third year,…

Breaking Barriers in International Trade SIFAX Shipping Company Limited, a subsidiary of Taiwo Afolabi-led SIFAX Group, has introduced a direct Less-than-Container Load (LCL) export service from Nigeria to the United Kingdom, in partnership with Netcargo UK Limited. This strategic move eliminates costly transshipments, offering Nigerian SMEs a faster, cheaper, and more reliable route to the UK market. Key Benefits for Nigerian Exporters  Cost Efficiency: Direct shipments bypass third-party ports, slashing logistics expenses. Ideal for SMEs unable to fill full containers, with shared container space options.  Faster Deliveries: Reduced transit times with streamlined UK-bound routes. Trial shipments began in June; full operations commenced July 2025.  End-to-End Support: Access to SIFAX’s bonded…

MPC Decision Sparks Outcry from SMEs The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has maintained its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.5% for the third consecutive time in 2025, drawing sharp criticism from small business owners who describe the policy as “crippling” to economic growth. Despite June’s inflation easing to 22.22% (from 22.97% in May), commercial bank lending rates remain above 30%, making credit inaccessible for most micro and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Voices from the Business Community 1. “Suicidal to Borrow at 30%+” Mohammed Damakka Abubakar (L and Z Ltd): “No SME can survive these rates. We need single-digit loans or a dedicated intervention fund.” Fumen Makama (Fumtee…

Nigeria’s Energy Game-Changer Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, announced at the Global Commodity Insights Conference that his $19 billion Dangote Refinery has transformed Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products, marking a seismic shift in Africa’s energy landscape. Key Milestones  1 Million Tons of PMS Exported The refinery shipped 1 million metric tons of gasoline to international markets between June and July 2025—averaging 20,000 tons daily. First-ever gasoline exports to Asia (90,000 tons in June) via trading giant Mercuria.  Jet Fuel Goes Global Supplied 1.7 million barrels of jet fuel to US ports via six vessels. Secured contracts with Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company.  Disrupting Europe’s $17B African Fuel Trade OPEC confirms Dangote’s…

Africa’s Fintech Revolution Goes Global Ten African financial technology companies have been named among the World’s Top Fintech Companies: 2025 by CNBC and Statista, cementing the continent’s status as a hub for digital finance innovation. The list, dominated by startups from Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, reflects Africa’s leadership in payments, alternative finance, and wealth tech—key drivers of financial inclusion. The African Fintech Elite Nigeria: Payment Giants & Unicorns Interswitch Founded: 2002 | Segment: Payments Achieved unicorn status in 2019 after Visa acquired 20%. Powers 70% of Nigeria’s digital transactions. Moniepoint Founded: 2015 | Segment: Payments Became a unicorn in 2024 ($110M funding round). Serves 1.5M+ businesses across West/East Africa. Opay Founded: 2018 | Segment: Payments Unicorn…

Ending the $2.3B Manual Accounting Crisis Nigerian SMEs lose N15–25 billion yearly to tax errors and inefficiencies from spreadsheet-based accounting (PwC/NBS 2023). Leaftally, a Made-for-Africa cloud platform, debuts to automate payroll, tax compliance, inventory, and reporting—saving businesses 67% time and N2.3M annually in penalty avoidance.  Exclusive Launch Webinar: July 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM WAT | [Register FREE Here] Why Nigerian SMEs Need Leaftally  72% of SMEs say manual accounting stifles growth. 61% make tax filing errors due to disconnected systems. $2.3B productivity drain from outdated processes. Leaftally’s Solution: FIRS-Compliant Tax Engine Auto-updates VAT, PAYE, WHT tables. Pre-loaded Naira formatting & tax rules.  Offline Resilience Works without internet; syncs when reconnected.  Naira Precision…

Nigeria’s Corporate Sector Embraces ESG Mandate The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has intensified efforts to equip businesses with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) competencies through specialized training programs, responding to mounting pressure for sustainable business practices globally. Key Initiatives 1. Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop  July 8–9, 2025 | Lagos 20 NECA staff and partners trained under the ILO’s LEADER Programme, a global initiative to advance corporate sustainability. Curriculum tailored for Nigerian business realities, covering: ESG reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, NGRC). Climate risk mitigation. Ethical supply chains. 2. Step-Down Training for 52 Companies  July 10–11, 2025 Multinationals and SMEs from diverse sectors engaged in hands-on ESG strategy sessions. Case…