Category: Business Day

Industry leaders in Nigeria’s maritime say collaboration among all key sectors of the economy and engagement from all levels of government is necessary if Nigeria must compete globally.

‘It’s a multistakeholder issue that requires collaboration across various stakeholders. The silo approach does not work,’ stated Mfon Usoro, National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, during BusinessDay’s maritime conference in Lagos in 2025.

This year, the marine and blue economy sector introduced an ambitious ten-year policy aimed at achieving an annual growth target of 7 percent and creating 100,000 new jobs each year.

Usoro proposed a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to integrated planning and execution. She explained that this strategy would involve incorporating the blue economy into national and local government policies and programs. ‘It has to be regarded as a national project for it to become a reality,’ Usoro emphasised. She added that it is the responsibility of every sector to view the maritime sector as an ‘enabler’ of growth in other areas. ‘All stakeholders need to come together to take action,’ she noted.

Regarding funding, as Nigeria looks to bonds to relieve a constrained budget, experts suggest that collaborative support from other ministries is essential. ‘I’m not sure that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) can independently raise a bond. If the NPA cannot do it alone, then the Ministry of Finance, for example, must be involved. This also includes the Minister for Trade. All these elements need to work together,’ said Oluwafikayo Ogunrinde, representing Echefu Ukattah, head of Maritime Practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP.

‘Our call for new funding is in cooperation with the relevant agencies, ministries, and government bodies, so we can start advocating for improvements,’ she added.

Patricia Igwebuike, Commissioner for Transport in Anambra State, stated that her office is also contributing to this effort. ‘Most of the imports into the eastern parts of Nigeria come through Anambra State. We recognize the poor condition of our roads. Everyone must work together to ensure that Onitsha River complements the other ports in Nigeria,’ she explained. Usoro agreed, saying, ‘We don’t have adequate road infrastructure to connect terminals to manufacturers, markets, and farms. As a result, we invest in dredging that ultimately does not benefit us. The Minister for Works needs to be involved, and even security must be part of the conversation.’

Usoro noted the lack of Nigerian ownership in seagoing vessels. In 2021, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reported that 4,100 vessels called at the nation’s ports, but ‘none of them flew the Nigerian flag,’ she stated. ‘These are markets that Nigeria must enter.’

Experts agree that a comprehensive approach is necessary to enhance competitiveness in shipping. They suggested that import taxes imposed on shipowners be eliminated. Just as zero import taxes have benefited the aviation sector, the same should apply to shipping.’

Anambra state’s ambition to train one million young people in digital skills has received global validation, with its flagship Solution Innovation District (SID) named among the top three winners at the Inspiring Solutions Awards 2025 during the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) World Conference in Beijing.

The recognition, announced at the conference’s gala dinner, specifically highlighted the Anambra Digital Tribe initiative as a transformational, inspiring, and impactful blueprint for building a sustainable, homegrown innovation economy.

Chinwe Okoli, special adviser to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on innovation and business incubation, represented the state at both the Triple Helix Association and CASSSP Innovation Summit and the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) 42nd World Conference held in Beijing, China, this September. Okoli’s presentation, ‘The Anambra Story – From Theory to Transformation,’ detailed how Soludo’s vision is being executed through the Triple Helix model, strategically aligning government, academia, and industry.

She showcased the SID as a practical, homegrown application of global best practices, already delivering impressive outcomes, which include 80,000+ citizens trained in various digital skills, building a future-proof workforce and talent for technology development; dozens of new startups launched, catalysing a new creative and digital economy and over $2 million in ecosystem investment secured, demonstrating early international investment confidence. Building on this momentum at the 42nd IASP World Conference, Okoli delivered a presentation titled ‘Bridging Continents Through Innovation: SID and the Power of International Collaboration.’ She detailed Soludo’s strategy of using the SID as a gateway for global partnerships, emphasising that tackling Africa’s digital growth and youth unemployment requires cross-border cooperation.

The IASP Inspiring Solutions Award, announced during the conference’s gala dinner, specifically recognised the Anambra Digital Tribe and its ambitious goal to train one million youths, celebrating it as a transformational, inspiring, and impactful blueprint for building a sustainable, homegrown innovation economy. ‘This award is a powerful testament to Soludo’s foresight and firm commitment. His strategic investments in technology infrastructure and youth empowerment have proven that emerging economies can not only participate in but excel on the global innovation stage. Our message in Beijing was clear: Anambra is building global bridges for talent, technology, and capital, and this award confirms that the world is taking notice. Anambra is open for business and ripe for strategic investment,’ Okoli stated.

The presentations in Beijing highlighted key investor-friendly attributes of the Anambra ecosystem, driven by the governor’s policies including a clear, government-backed vision, proven partnerships with Meta, Microsoft, Connekt Broadband, Circum Technologies etc signposting opportunity for future partners and the one million Anambra Digital Tribe initiative directly addresses the talent needs of the global digital economy, creating a deep pool of skilled developers, creatives, and tech entrepreneurs.

A form of uproar seems to have taken over the Rivers State University (RSU) over alleged exorbitant fees charged for the 2025 graduation ceremony.

The first information report on the matter accused the university of charging N220,000 for graduation. The university immediately clarified that the N220,000 was not for all graduating students but only for the doctorate graduates.

The clarification did not however seem to douse the agitation as a groundswell has continued to build up against the fees.

The clarification showed that certificate degree graduands would pay N68,000; first degree would pay N97,000, postgraduate degrees were to pay N145,000; and doctorate degree category would pay N220,000. Sources in the university say the 2025 fees were clearly far above the rates for previous years, but the office of the Public Relations Officer headed by Victor Banigo remained silent to inquiries all of Monday, September 29, 2025.

The concern for alleged high fees seems to escape into the town where groups have begun raising alarms. An activist, Darlington Nwauju, has gone on radio to condemn the fees, saying commercialisation of education in the State has gone to a new level.

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in the state has also stepped into the matter, demanding a reversal.

In fulfilment of its promises and commitment to socio-economic development, the Kwara State Government has executed over 100 projects within one year.

Abdulrasheed Oluwafemi Yusuf, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, disclosed this while briefing journalists on his one-year stewardship at the News Keg personality programme, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel in Ilorin.

He noted that from inception, his administration set out to complement the efforts of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in ensuring that development reaches every part of Ifelodun, the largest local government in the State. ‘Our administration has touched more than 100 communities through infrastructural and social projects that have improved lives, enhanced security, and strengthened community development,’ Yusuf said.

Among the projects executed are the installation of solar-powered streetlights in over 20 communities; provision and rehabilitation of more than 30 solar-powered boreholes and hand pumps across wards in Atanda, Apara, Adio, Anita, Eleyele, among others. He also listed the construction and renovation of primary healthcare centres in Oke-Ode, Labaka Oja, Adanla, Ofarese, Ijaya-Share, and Ajapa; provision of medical equipment and essential drugs to health facilities; as well as sponsorship of 41 students for health-related courses at the Kwara State Polytechnic of Health Technology, Offa, with plans for their absorption into the local health sector.

On infrastructure, the council rehabilitated several roads, including Isanlu-Isin, Kajola, Oke-Oyan, Umupo, Chahiyan, Igbaja, Ofarese, Oke-Ode, Afon Junction, and Oro-Ago. In the agricultural sector, Yusuf revealed that the council refurbished four abandoned tractors to near-new condition and added them to two existing ones, along with another from ACReSAL, bringing the total to seven functional tractors for farmers.

The council also procured five ridgers to promote mechanised farming, organised step-down training for 500 livestock farmers, and supported them with necessary machinery.

Looking ahead, the Chairman pledged more transformative projects in the council’s second year, particularly in road construction, education, healthcare, and security.

Dave Umahi, minister of works, says a refuse dump more than 50 years old and over 10 metres deep delayed work on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway for four months.

Umahi spoke in Lagos on Monday during an inspection of the project.

‘We also encountered a refuse dump that had been over 50 years old and had over 10 metres depth and spanned two kilometres,’ Umahi said.

‘When we encountered it, we had to stop the work for more than four months.’

Landmark Beach spared after route redesign

The minister said the project initially faced hurdles at kilometre zero, where Landmark Beach and other properties stood in the highway’s path.

‘We decided as a responsible ministry to vary the design of the project,’ Umahi said, explaining that the road alignment was altered to avoid demolishing the beach infrastructure.

He stressed that, contrary to public perception, Landmark Beach was not demolished-only the surrounding shanties were cleared. The six-lane highway was instead split into three lanes on each side to protect the beach.

N15 billion spent on ‘unexpected challenges’

Umahi disclosed that the federal government spent about N15 billion to tackle the unforeseen obstacles.

‘I have directed that all the videos and drawings must be exposed because additional works are involved, and I want those documentaries to be intact,’ he added.

Dany Abboud, managing director of Hitech Construction Company Ltd., the contractor, said the eastbound and westbound lanes were split at kilometre 2.7 to avoid demolitions and later rejoined at kilometre 5.

He added that extensive waste deposits were found between kilometres 3 and 9, with the largest dumpsites at kilometres 4 and 9.

‘We had to excavate to a very big depth and replace it with sand,’ Abboud said.

Leading African adtech company Dochase in partnership with Google has announced a high-profile webinar titled ‘Maximiser vos revenus publicitaires avec Google AdX en Afrique francophone’, scheduled for October 2, 2025.

The webinar, which has been trending among publishers on LinkedIn and Instagram, will guide Francophone African publishers on how to increase advertising revenues through Google Ad Manager and Google Ad Exchange (AdX).

The program has attracted attention after it was shared by Chantal Ferraro, Google’s News Partnerships Lead for the Middle East, Africa, and the Global South, highlighting its importance for digital media growth in underserved markets.

Dochase is a certified Google Multi-Channel Manager (MCM) partner, enabling publishers to access premium demand sources, advanced monetisation tools, and better revenue optimisation through Google Ad Manager. This gives African publishers, many of whom face limited access to global ad markets, the opportunity to compete on a global scale.

Speaking ahead of the event, Chibuike Goodnews, CEO of Dochase, said:

‘This webinar brings underserved publishers in Africa to premium sources of revenue with Ad Manager. It is about ensuring that African media owners have access to the same advanced monetisation opportunities available globally.’

The session will spotlight best practices for scaling digital revenues, optimising inventory, and leveraging Google AdX for long-term growth. Publishers, digital media owners, and content creators across Francophone Africa are expected to attend.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed that her husband’s choice to run on a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 elections left her feeling isolated in her own church and strained her faith. In a new memoir titled ‘The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things’, the First Lady admitted that the decision, which generated nationwide controversy at the time, deeply affected her relationship with members of her parish and created division among fellow worshippers. She described the moment as a ‘bitter pill’ that tested both her personal faith and her sense of belonging.

The 52-page book, released to mark her 65th birthday, gives Nigerians a rare peek into the private struggles of the woman who stood beside President Bola Tinubu during one of the most turbulent political campaigns in recent history. According to Mrs. Tinubu, the church community she had worshipped with for years became divided after her husband announced his choice of a Muslim running mate. Many Christian leaders and congregants had expressed disappointment and anger at the pairing, seeing it as an imbalance in the country’s religious politics. For the First Lady, this was not just a national issue but also a personal one. She revealed that she was left on her own in the pews, with some members of the congregation keeping their distance.

‘It was a bitter pill for me,’ she wrote, recalling how difficult it was to worship in an environment where her family’s political decisions had suddenly become a source of tension. Despite the emotional weight, Mrs. Tinubu said she chose to keep moving forward, holding on to hope and faith in God while standing by her husband’s political ambition.

The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things is divided into five chapters, arranged year by year from 2021 to 2025. It provides a personal account of Mrs. Tinubu’s experiences during those years, touching on her family life, faith, and the challenges of being a political spouse. The book comes with a foreword written by Dr. Folashade Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, further emphasizing its spiritual angle. In the memoir, the First Lady frames her story around gratitude, noting that even during the toughest battles, she chose to focus on God’s grace. She said each campaign moment was interesting, even though the odds appeared stacked against her husband.

The controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket was one of the defining debates of the 2023 election. Many Nigerians argued that the pairing of President Tinubu with Vice President Kashim Shettima, both Muslims, ignored the country’s delicate religious balance. Christian groups and churches voiced strong objections, and the move sparked heated arguments across communities and social gatherings. Critics said the ticket risked widening religious divides, while supporters argued it was a strategic political choice based on competence rather than religion.

Caught in the middle of the storm was Mrs. Tinubu, herself a Christian and an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Her faith, long visible to the public, became a topic of conversation as Nigerians wondered how she reconciled her husband’s decision with her religious beliefs. In the book, the First Lady reveals that the situation tested her faith like never before. She admitted that she had to rely on prayer, strength from her immediate family, and trust in God to withstand the criticism and isolation. ‘Though it was difficult, I continued to thank God for everything, even when it seemed like everything was against us,’ she wrote. Her words highlight not just the political drama but also the human cost of leadership how decisions made in the public arena often weigh heavily on private lives.

Today, as First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Tinubu looks back at those trying times with a sense of relief and gratitude. According to her, the experience only reinforced her conviction that God’s plan was at work, even when the journey seemed unbearable. She notes in the memoir that the period taught her the importance of patience, endurance, and grace in leadership. It also reminded her that public service often demands personal sacrifices, especially for family members of political leaders. By sharing her story, Mrs. Tinubu offers Nigerians a behind-the-scenes look at the sacrifices and struggles that accompany political life. While debates about religion and politics continue in the country, her account sheds light on how these national issues play out in personal spaces like homes, churches, and relationships. Her honesty about isolation and faith struggles may resonate with many Nigerians who have faced rejection or misunderstanding because of personal or family choices.

Remi Tinubu says she remains focused on her faith and her commitment to serving Nigerians alongside her husband. She hopes that the lessons of endurance and gratitude outlined in her book will inspire others facing difficult situations to keep trusting God.

Save A Life Mission Hospital’s cutting-edge digital tools could improve Nigeria’s health outcomes by over 60 percent, according to Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Group and a leading tech entrepreneur.

Ekeh, during a visit to the Port Harcourt-based facility, praised the hospital’s innovative technology, which he believes can curb inefficiencies and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek medical care abroad, marking a significant step toward transforming the nation’s healthcare landscape.

The hospital, led by Richard Okoye, stands as Nigeria’s most digitally advanced healthcare institution, operating a fully integrated database system that streamlines patient records and diagnostics with precision rivalling top global hospitals.

Ekeh, a serial digital entrepreneur, described the facility as no ordinary hospital, emphasising its ecosystem driven by innovation and a commitment to saving lives. ‘The digital tools here are a game-changer. They are culturally sensitive, accessible even in rural areas, and can revolutionise healthcare delivery,’ he told journalists.

Among the hospital’s innovations is a digital sugar level monitoring system that tracks glucose levels and sends real-time alerts to consultants for timely interventions. Other tools replicate the expertise of healthcare professionals, like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, radiologists, and physiotherapists, allowing them to focus on critical cases and research. These technologies are designed to function in areas with unreliable power and no resident doctors, operating in local languages like Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa to ensure inclusivity.

Ekeh’s visit reinforced his belief in Nigeria’s potential. ‘With common sense and technology, Nigerians can lead anywhere in the world,’ he said, urging corporate organisations and government bodies to partner with Save A Life to expand access to its cost-efficient, high-quality healthcare solutions.

Okoye, dubbed a miracle doctor by Ekeh, stated, ‘Building hospitals is not enough. We need digital solutions to deliver quality care efficiently.’

Bloocloud Tek Consult, a business management solution provider, has launched BlooHR, a next-generation payroll and human resources management platform tailored to meet the demands of today’s dynamic workforce.

Speaking during the launch, James Ida, Head of Business and Marketing at Bloocloud Tek Consult, described BlooHR as a timely innovation designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses and employees in today’s digital economy.

According to him, the platform integrates payroll automation, employee data management, performance tracking, and compliance reporting into a single solution, removing the inefficiencies often associated with traditional HR processes.

‘Human capital is at the heart of every successful business. Yet, many organisations still struggle with outdated systems that waste time, drain resources, and frustrate employees.

‘A truly effective HR solution must go beyond basic record keeping. It should automate payroll, centralise employee data, track performance, and ensure regulatory compliance, all while empowering employees with transparency and timely access to their information,’ Ida said.

He further emphasised that the decision to launch BlooHR was informed by Bloocloud’s market research, which revealed that many small, medium, and large enterprises across Nigeria and Africa face the same challenges of compliance, record keeping, and payroll accuracy.

‘Our goal is to provide a solution that is not only affordable but also scalable, meeting the needs of startups, SMEs, and corporates alike,’ he added.

Also commenting on the innovation, Israel Atoe, MD/CEO of Bloocloud, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation, saying that ‘At Bloocloud, we believe technology should work for people, not against them. BlooHR is our contribution to building workplaces where efficiency and employee satisfaction go hand in hand.’

Industry experts at the event highlighted that digital HR solutions are becoming increasingly critical as organisations embrace hybrid work models, tighter labour regulations, and the growing demand for data-driven decision-making. They pointed out that businesses that fail to adopt technology-driven HR systems risk losing competitiveness in a fast-changing workforce landscape.

BlooHR positions Bloocloud as a key player in Africa’s HR technology space. With its user-friendly interface and cloud-based deployment, the platform is designed to adapt seamlessly to organisations of varying sizes while providing secure, real-time access to data.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced a drop in power generation from over 4,300MW recorded in the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, to about 3,200MW at the lowest point.

The operator stated that industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain triggered widespread gas shortages, leading to a generation shortfall on the national grid.

‘The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to notify the public of recent major generation shortfalls on the national grid, caused by industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain.

‘These disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, to about 3,200MW at the lowest point.

‘In response, the NISO promptly deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the national grid. Key interventions include hydropower optimisation, generation dispatch and load balancing, and voltage and frequency support,’ NISO said in a statement issued to journalists.

The operator added that it applied selective load shedding as a last resort to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution.

These timely actions, it said, enabled the NISO National Control Centre (NCC) to minimise the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout.

‘The system operator reaffirms its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation,’ it added.

PENGASSAN commenced its strike action on Monday despite calls for calm from the federal government.