Category: Business Day

Investors, thought leaders, industry stakeholders, policymakers, are to headline discussions as GIDI Real Estate Investment Limited hosts an Intra-Africa Realtors’ Conference (GIDI IARC 3.0) in the East African cities of Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya.

The five-day conference, already scheduled for October 27 to November 2, 2025, will chart a new course for the continent’s real estate sector.

This year’s edition is anchored on the duality of Africa’s real estate, focusing on building a more connected and prosperous Africa’s real estate ecosystem through cross-border collaboration, integrated value chains, and innovative solutions to the continent’s housing deficit.

Africa’s real estate market, projected to approach $15 trillion by 2025, stands at the intersection of unprecedented opportunity and critical housing challenges. With rapid urbanization, a youthful population surge, and rising demand for sustainable development, the sector faces both extraordinary potential and deep structural constraints.

Consistent with its theme, ‘Building Africa: Integrating Real Estate Value Chains for Continental Prosperity,’ the conference seeks to foster dialogue, shape actionable strategies, and create tangible partnerships that can accelerate sustainable and affordable housing across the continent.

According to the organisers, the initiative was conceived as a strategic platform to unite the fragmented African real estate landscape, adding that GIDI IARC was created to strengthen intra-African collaboration and drive coordinated actions that can help tackle Africa’s housing deficit at scale.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has received six members of the House of Representatives, six members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and several other defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties into its fold.

The defection ceremony, held at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, was attended by top APC leaders, including Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s national chairman; and Balarabe Abbas, the minister of environment.

Governor Uba Sani described the development as a major boost for the APC, noting that it reflected growing confidence in the party’s leadership at both state and national levels.

‘I have the uncommon privilege of welcoming a remarkable convergence of patriotic Nigerians and distinguished compatriots who have chosen to align with the APC to strengthen our collective quest for national renewal and democratic consolidation,’ Sani said.

He added that the defectors’ decision to join the ruling party signified not just a political realignment but a reaffirmation of faith in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said continues to inspire optimism and trust across the country.

‘Here in Kaduna, we are wholly committed to actualizing this vision through inclusive governance, sustainable development, and a people-first approach,’ the governor stated. Among the newly received federal lawmakers are Amos Gwamna Magaji (Jaba/Zango Kataf), Donatus K. Matthew (Kaura), Sadiq Ango Abdullahi (Sabon Gari), Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi (Ikara/Kubau), Abdulkarim Kero (Kaduna South), and Hussaini Muhammed Jalo (Igabi).

The new members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly include Shehu Abubakar Nulge (Magajin Gari), Stingo Danlami (Kajuru), Ali Kalat (Jema’a), Henry Mahra (Jaba), Kantiok Emmanuel (Zonkwa), and Kambai Samuel (Zango Kataf). Governor Sani noted that former Kaduna State governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, along with Senators Shehu Sani, Danjuma Laah, and Suleiman Hunkuyi, had earlier joined the APC, describing the influx as proof of the party’s expanding base and inclusiveness.

‘To our new members, I extend a warm welcome. In the APC, we make no distinction between old and new; every hand is valued, and every voice matters. Together, we will continue to build a more united and prosperous Kaduna State,’ he added.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has explained reasons behind aggressive development of offices in the partner states instead of rented office system.

The Commission tested the new offices approach when it built the Rivers State office on Olu Obasanjo Road in Port Harcourt in 2016. The Commission then explained many benefits of the initiative.

Now, with the leadership of Samuel Ogbuku and his team, the Commission has resolved to pursue state offices development as a deliberate policy.

Thus, a symbolic edifice for grassroots development was added to the skylines of Warri with the recent commissioning of a model state office of the Commission in the oil and gas hub of Delta State.

Gov Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State (Dark flowing gown) cutting the tape of the new office complex in Warri.

Management said moving into its own home represents a renewed move by NDDC to decentralise its operations, enhance service delivery, and reaffirm its core mission of transforming the oil-rich Delta into a region of shared prosperity and sustainable development.

The modern facility in Warri has been aptly described as a symbol of progress and institutional renewal.

NDDC has rented offices in its nine states except in Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states. The offices serve as a bridge between the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt and the local communities. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Delta State Governor, who commissioned the Warri office complex, maintained that it is a symbol of ‘shared commitment to development, inclusion, and service delivery.’

According to him, ‘The project is a clear reflection of purposeful governance, and actual progress happens when institutions work together to bring impact closer to the people.’

Oborevwori commended the NDDC boss for his visionary leadership and commitment to development, stating that the new office would reinforce institutional stability and renewed purpose.

The governor further lauded President Bola Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that it had strengthened state finances, fostered inclusivity, and restored public confidence in governance.

The governor called for strategic alliance between the NDDC and state governments to rehabilitate critical federal roads across the region, and indicated readiness to partner with the NDDC on the Omadino-Warri-Escravos Road. He disclosed that a joint meeting between the state government, Chevron, and the Commission was already scheduled for first week of November 2025 to outline the next steps.

In his remarks, Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Regional Development, stated that President Tinubu had directed the NDDC to complete all abandoned projects in the region.

He cited successes such as the restoration of electricity in Okitipupa in Ondo State after 15 years and the construction of key bridges and substations.

Also speaking, Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the NDDC governing Board, reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with Delta and other Niger Delta states to achieve sustainable development.

He averred: ‘A key example is the adoption of KPMG’s working document, which now guides our implementation processes and internal reforms.’

On his part, Ogbuku, the NDDC CEO, said the new Delta State office in Delta signified the Commission’s shift from transaction to transformation, adding that it would serve as a hub for improved service delivery. He declared: ‘We are ambassadors of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. What you see here today is proof that we are inspired to deliver real results.’

The NDDC boss stated that the era of abandoned projects in the Niger Delta was over, stressing that the Commission was now focused on completing all inherited projects across the region.

Ogbuku highlighted the gains from the collaboration between NDDC and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on ?650 billion worth of infrastructure projects and assured that the NDDC was committed to timely project completion.

He also confirmed that President Tinubu has funded the NDDC more than any President since the agency was created.

Read also: NDDC shows how postgraduate scholarship scheme makes the difference

Ogbuku also acknowledged the unwavering support of the National Assembly, noting that they have consistently supported the Commission by ensuring the timely passage of Appropriation Bills, which has enabled the management to deliver more effectively.

He noted that the new office represents more than a physical structure; ‘It is a hub for innovation, transparency, and closer engagement with communities.’

Ogbuku stated: ‘Today, we celebrate the institutionalisation of the NDDC in Delta State, and we are pleased to see the people of Warri turn out in large numbers to witness this historic occasion. This marks the third state office we have commissioned, starting with Cross River State, followed by Bayelsa, and now Delta State.’

Victor Antai, the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, gave the project brief and the new office complex is actually a prototype of the one in Rivers State, commissioned on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, by Ibim Semenitari, the then Acting Managing Director.

He recalled that on that occasion, Semenitari had expressed relief that the NDDC staff in the Rivers State office could work in an elaborate environment deliberately textured for maximum output.

She had stated: ‘As we commission the Rivers State office, we celebrate a significant milestone and our commitment to making a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region and our staff. We decided to ensure that we exit all rented accommodation at the headquarters and across all the states to enable us to conserve scarce resources, which we should be using to develop our communities.

‘The NDDC is transforming the skyline of our host communities for the better. This edifice was designed and completed with the staff in mind. It has provisions for several facilities, including a large reception hall, conference/multi-purpose hall for 250 people, staff canteen, sick bay and offices for drivers on the ground floor. Each of its four floors has ample space for offices.

According to Semenitari, ‘The Rivers State Office would accommodate about 120 members of staff, with unique office suites for the State Representative and the Director of the state office. Additionally, it includes provisions for key Head Office Directorates. It is indeed a worker’s delight!

‘I saw that the workers of the Commission needed an office accommodation that would support their specific needs. We soon hit the ground running, tasking both the contractor and the project consultant with an exit date. I concluded that if we must demand absolute service from the Rivers State office workers to the Commission and, by implication, to the people, we must provide them with the tools.

In his goodwill message, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, commended the NDDC Board and Management and urged them not to rest on their oars.

Speaking in a similar vein, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, congratulated the NDDC management for significantly impacting the lives of Niger Deltans.

For Ned Nwoko, a senator, the new office complex ‘reflects the renewed commitment to efficient service delivery, transparency, and people-centred governance in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Sharing this sentiment, Anthony Ofoni, the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, affirmed that the NDDC’s new structure is a symbol of renewed collaboration between the Federal and State Governments aimed at attracting more development to the state, thereby improving the lives of people at the grassroots.

As crypto markets move into another decisive week, BlockDAG, Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), and Pump.fun (PUMP) are grabbing center stage as the top crypto coins to watch.

BlockDAG (BDAG) continues to lead headlines with its over $430 million presale, more than 3.5 million X1 app miners, and the fast-approaching Binance x BlockDAG LIVE AMA scheduled for Friday, October 24 at 3 PM UTC. The event promises to deliver new insights on the network’s roadmap and Genesis Day, set for November 26.

Meanwhile, Pudgy Penguins dominate NFT markets with a stunning 165% surge in weekly sales, while PUMP token price rebounds amongst bullish divergence and strong community sentiment. Together, these projects show how utility, advancement, and community momentum continue to drive engagement across the digital asset space.

Pudgy Penguins Defy Market Drop With 165% NFT Sales Surge

In the middle of a broader crypto slowdown, Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) have become the week’s surprise leader. While Bitcoin and Ethereum prices slid, the NFT market saw a 6% rebound, reaching nearly $162 million in total trading volume. Pudgy Penguins spearheaded this comeback, recording an impressive 165% increase in sales to $15.6 million, according to CryptoSlam data.

Ethereum remained the dominant NFT blockchain, but Pudgy Penguins outperformed traditional blue-chip collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and CryptoPunks, showing the power of consistent community engagement and brand expansion.

Analysts point to Pudgy’s creative marketing, cross-platform collaborations, and growing real-world recognition as key drivers of this growth. Even as other NFT projects struggle to regain traction, PENGU price momentum in the collectibles sector remains strong. With institutional interest rising in intellectual property-based NFTs, Pudgy Penguins have firmly positioned themselves among the crypto coins to watch for Q4 2025.

Pump.fun Eyes $0.005 Target With Bullish Divergence

While Pudgy Penguins take over the NFT charts, Pump.fun (PUMP) is regaining strength in the token market. After a week of consolidation, the PUMP token price rose 4.63% in 24 hours to $0.003918, backed by a sharp 79% increase in trading volume to $347 million.

Technical charts show a bullish setup forming. The MACD has crossed into positive territory, and the RSI (54.5) indicates growing momentum without being overbought. Analysts highlight a 4-hour bullish divergence, suggesting that sellers are losing control while accumulation builds near current levels.

The next major test lies at the $0.005 resistance, a key psychological level that could confirm a broader trend reversal if breached. Support sits at $0.00324, with the Bollinger Bands narrowing, a precursor to volatility expansion and possible breakout.

Market sentiment remains overwhelmingly optimistic: 74% of community voters on CoinMarketCap label themselves bullish on PUMP’s near-term outlook. With improving technicals and a passionate following, PUMP token price action could soon join the ranks of top crypto coins to watch as it eyes a sustained recovery

BlockDAG’s $430M+ Presale and Binance LIVE AMA Set the Stage for Genesis

As excitement builds across the market, BlockDAG remains the most talked-about project ahead of its Binance LIVE AMA, marking a key milestone in the countdown to Genesis Day (November 26). The event, scheduled for Friday at 3 PM UTC, will bring the community together for updates and discussions as the project continues advancing toward its official launch.

BlockDAG’s progress is tangible: the project has crossed $430 million in presale, sold over 27 billion BDAG coins, and attracted over 312,000 holders globally. Hardware adoption is accelerating too, with 20,000 physical miners sold and an impressive 3.5M+ users active through the X1 mobile mining app.

Beyond numbers, BlockDAG’s technical architecture continues to stand out. Its EVM compatibility enables seamless migration for existing Ethereum-based projects, while its hybrid PoW + PoE structure enhances both scalability and decentralization. The ongoing Awakening Testnet has showcased live transaction speeds exceeding 1,400 TPS, as well as compatibility with EIP-4337 account abstraction and runtime upgrades.

The AMA will spotlight these breakthroughs and highlight how the TGE ties into the Genesis launch. With speculation mounting that the listing price could approach $0.05, early participants at the current $0.0015 presale rate stand to see exponential returns. Analysts widely regard BlockDAG as one of the crypto coins to watch this quarter; a rare blend of robust tech, real adoption, and massive community traction.

Wrapping Up: The Week’s Most Watched Trio

This week belongs to projects proving that substance still drives success. Pudgy Penguins demonstrated how community power and brand development can defy market downturns, leading NFT sales by a wide margin. Pump.fun showcased technical resilience, with bullish divergences pointing toward a potential PUMP token price breakout near $0.005.

Yet, all eyes remain on BlockDAG. With over $430 million presale, massive 3.5M+ X1 app miner network, and the upcoming Binance LIVE AMA make it the undeniable highlight among crypto coins to watch. As Genesis Day draws near, the project’s combination of EVM compatibility, hybrid architecture, and testnet performance signals it’s on track to redefine scalability in Web3 infrastructure.

Whether it’s NFTs, meme coins, or next-gen Layer-1 networks, these three names, BlockDAG, Pudgy Penguins, and PUMP, are setting the tone for what could be one of crypto’s most crucial months of 2025.

As the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expired on September 30, 2025, and has not been renewed, the question confronting Nigeria is not whether the programme should be renewed or not, but why the country barely used it in the first place. Enacted in 2000, AGOA opened duty-free access to the vast U.S. market for over 6,500 products from eligible African countries.

It was meant to be a springboard for industrialisation, a ladder into global value chains, and a chance for Africa’s giants to trade their way into prosperity. Instead, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, exported mostly crude oil and missed the broader opportunity.

Two decades later, the numbers tell a sobering story. Under AGOA, African exports to the United States peaked at about $82 billion in 2008, driven mainly by petroleum. By 2023, that figure had fallen below $40 billion, with Nigeria’s non-oil exports to the U.S. contributing less than $150 million, a fraction of what smaller economies like Kenya, Lesotho, and Madagascar achieved through textiles and apparel. In contrast, Vietnam, not even part of AGOA, exported over $96 billion worth of goods to the U.S. that same year.

Why did Nigeria underperform? The reasons are structural, not sentimental.

First of all, the programme rewarded production, not extraction. Nigeria remained trapped in oil dependency. With refineries idle and manufacturing capacity below 10 percent of GDP, the economy simply did not produce the kind of goods AGOA was designed to favour: finished, traceable, high-value exports. The absence of stable power, modern ports, and efficient logistics kept Nigerian products uncompetitive.

Second, there was limited institutional coordination. While countries like Kenya established dedicated AGOA strategy units, export promotion agencies, and industrial parks tailored to meet U.S. compliance standards, Nigeria treated AGOA as a passing policy incentive, not a national export strategy. Few Nigerian exporters understood the documentation, labelling, or certification processes needed to access the U.S. market. Many had no idea which products even qualified.

Third, finance and trade infrastructure lagged. Most Nigerian small and medium exporters could not secure pre-shipment credit, export guarantees, or insurance. Without access to capital, they couldn’t meet large U.S. orders or maintain consistent quality. The African Trade Insurance Agency and NEXIM Bank offered tools, but awareness was minimal. AGOA opened the door, but Nigerian businesses never walked through.

And yet, the post-AGOA moment offers a reset, an opportunity for Nigeria to turn lost chances into lasting advantage. To begin, Nigeria must treat trade as a national strategy, not a by-product of oil policy. The United States remains a $30 trillion economy, with consumer spending exceeding $17 trillion a year. Capturing even one-tenth of one per cent of that market, roughly $17 billion, would exceed Nigeria’s current total non-oil export earnings. The U.S. market is vast, diverse, and increasingly receptive to African goods: organic foods, apparel, beauty products, digital services, and cultural exports. Nigeria has all these in abundance. What’s missing is organisation.

A new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs is already showing what’s possible. In Georgia, Texas, and Maryland, Nigerian-American distributors are importing hibiscus, sesame, cassava flour, and shea butter – products once confined to local markets – and placing them on the shelves of Walmart, Whole Foods, and Amazon. Nollywood films now reach millions of U.S. viewers via Netflix and Amazon Prime, while Nigerian designers are carving out niches in America’s $500 billion fashion market. These are not isolated successes. They are blueprints for what a coordinated national export strategy could achieve.

To win after AGOA, Nigeria must start with five practical shifts.

First, build industrial capacity for value addition. Exporting raw materials is a 20th-century model. Processing sesame into oil, cashew into snacks, and cocoa into finished chocolate could multiply export earnings by five. Agro-processing parks, linked to ports and powered by reliable energy, would anchor these industries. The federal and state governments should co-invest with the private sector and the diaspora to create such clusters. Second, institutionalise export intelligence.

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) must evolve into a true trade-intelligence hub. Exporters should have access to real-time data on U.S. demand, pricing, and regulatory updates. A centralised export advisory portal could guide labelling, logistics, FDA certification, and customs procedures. Success in the U.S. market requires information as much as production.

Third, finance trade at scale. Nigeria must strengthen the pipeline between NEXIM Bank, the Bank of Industry, and commercial lenders to provide export credit guarantees, pre-shipment finance, and trade insurance. Exporting to the U.S. should not require collateral in Abuja; it should require a business plan and a purchase order. Diaspora investors could also be mobilised through a Nigeria-U.S. Export Fund that pools capital for export-oriented SMEs.

Fourth, leverage digital trade. American consumers now buy more online than in physical stores. Nigeria’s artisans, designers, and agro-producers can sell directly through e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy. But this requires digital literacy, logistics networks, and payment integration. The fintech revolution that made Nigeria Africa’s digital banking leader must now extend into cross-border trade.

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a suit filed by ten Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-governed states challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

A seven-member panel, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, reserved judgment after the parties adopted their written submissions during Tuesday’s proceedings.

The suit (SC/CV/329/2025) was originally filed by eleven states-Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa but Delta State withdrew during the hearing.

Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), counsel for the plaintiffs, stated that the case does not dispute the President’s general power to declare a state of emergency but questions the legality of suspending the governor, deputy governor, and members of the state assembly under such a declaration.

The suit follows President Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State due to a political crisis.

The President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and state lawmakers, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as Sole Administrator for six months.

The PDP states asked the Supreme Court to determine whether the President has constitutional authority to suspend elected officials and appoint an administrator in their place.

They also argued that the process used to declare the emergency violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, urged the court to dismiss the case, calling it speculative and without merit.

He argued that the President acted within his constitutional powers to restore order in the state.

Fagbemi said the officials were not removed but temporarily suspended to maintain governance and order.

He accused the plaintiffs of overstepping in their legal challenge.

Counsel for the National Assembly, Charles Yohila, supported Fagbemi’s position and also asked the court to dismiss the suit.

Justice Okoro said the hearing by stating that judgment would be delivered on a date to be communicated to the parties.

Nigeria is no stranger to grand sustainability ambitions. From its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement to the Renewable Energy Master Plan, the nation’s green aspirations are clear. Yet in practice, implementing sustainable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and urban systems remains slow. The missing link is not vision; it is execution. That’s where Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) must evolve from buzzword to backbone.

True sustainability demands collaboration. The public sector cannot deliver transformation alone, and the private sector cannot remain a passive financier. When designed well, PPPs can mobilise capital, transfer technology, and embed accountability into green projects. But to realise this potential, Nigeria must strengthen the way PPPs are structured, governed, and monitored.

Why PPPs matter for a green agenda

The scale of Nigeria’s climate and infrastructure gaps exceeds public funding capacity. Green transport, renewable energy, waste management, and resilient cities require large upfront investment, steady revenue streams, and operational excellence. PPPs can bridge that gap by leveraging private finance alongside government guarantees.

They also incentivise performance. Contracts can tie payments to emissions reduction, service delivery, or energy efficiency targets, embedding ESG metrics into operations and discouraging underperformance. Beyond finance, PPPs open doors to innovation, as private partners bring new technologies, leaner cost structures, and adaptive management.

In Nigeria’s energy sector, PPP models are already being explored to expand off-grid renewables and integrate clean power into the grid. In agriculture, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has called for climate-smart PPPs to provide forecast services for agribusinesses, enabling farmers to plan for weather risks. These are promising beginnings, but the journey is still early.

Pitfalls that sabotage green PPPs

Despite their promise, many PPPs falter. Poorly scoped contracts, weak regulation, and lack of transparency often derail projects. Some fail because risks are misallocated, the government guarantees too much, or private partners shoulder excessive uncertainty. Others collapse under unrealistic tariffs or political interference.

Environmental and social safeguards are also frequently overlooked. Projects labelled ‘green’ sometimes neglect ecosystem restoration, emissions tracking, or community engagement, leading to public backlash. Moreover, limited technical capacity within ministries and regulatory agencies often results in weak contract negotiation and oversight. Political transitions further complicate matters when the new administration attempts to renegotiate or cancel existing deals.

Building effective green PPPs

To make PPPs a reliable vehicle for sustainable transformation, Nigeria needs stronger foundations. Key steps include:

1. Policy clarity and risk guarantees:

A consistent national green infrastructure roadmap is essential. Government must provide credible risk mitigation instruments such as partial guarantees, currency hedges, and off-take agreements to attract investors.

2. Standardised and modular contracts:

Developing PPP templates for key sectors (renewable energy, waste management, and green transport) with ESG clauses will simplify negotiation and reduce transaction costs.

3. Transparent procurement and competition:

Independent project preparation facilities should vet projects and publish feasibility studies. This curbs political capture and ensures only viable, high-impact projects move forward.

4. Regulatory oversight and ESG benchmarking:

Strengthening institutions like the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) is vital. PPP contracts should include measurable ESG indicators, periodic audits, and independent verification of environmental performance.

5. Capacity building:

Both public officials and private partners need training in contract structuring, risk evaluation, and ESG integration. Technical knowledge is the bedrock of sustainable execution.

6. Pilot projects and blended finance:

Nigeria should start small: solar mini-grids, green bus networks, climate data hubs and scale up. Blending grants, concessional funds, and private capital can reduce risk and attract long-term investors.

7. Community inclusion:

True sustainability includes people. Local communities must benefit through jobs, training, and participatory monitoring. Without social buy-in, projects face resistance and reputational risk.

Spotlight: blue economy, cities, and renewables

Nigeria’s emerging blue economy offers fertile ground for PPP innovation. Coastal infrastructure, marine resource management, and ecotourism can attract private investment if guided by climate resilience and conservation principles. With coastal erosion and pollution threatening livelihoods, a PPP framework anchored on restoration and green growth could unlock a new wave of sustainable enterprise.

Urban infrastructure presents another opportunity. The Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund, while not strictly green, shows the potential of joint investment in urban renewal. The next frontier is to green these assets by retrofitting public buildings for energy efficiency, solar integration, and stormwater management.

In energy, companies like Arnergy have shown how private innovation can drive access through pay-as-you-go solar systems. But scaling such models requires PPP support for grid interconnection, technical standards, and consumer protection. Public agencies can de-risk these ventures through subsidies or performance-based incentives tied to verified impact.

From aspiration to accountability

Green PPPs are not quick fixes; they demand discipline, transparency, and patience. Yet as Nigeria confronts mounting climate pressures, they remain one of the few mechanisms capable of bridging ambition with action.

For the private sector, the call is to look beyond short-term profits and invest in long-term impact. For the government, the challenge is to move from transactional politics to institutional continuity while building systems that outlast electoral cycles.

Ultimately, Nigeria’s green future will not be built by government or business alone, but by a partnership rooted in shared responsibility. When structured with integrity, public-private partnerships can transform from contractual arrangements into engines of resilience, prosperity, and environmental stewardship.

If Nigeria gets this right, PPPs won’t just deliver infrastructure; they will deliver trust, innovation, and a greener economy for generations to come.

Global family-owned enterprises are losing growth momentum as the proportion of companies reporting double-digit sales gains dropped from 43 percent to 25 percent in two years.

Analysts at PwC surveyed 1,325 family business leaders across 62 countries, finding that performance among family firms has diverged sharply, ending a post-pandemic recovery phase that once set them apart for resilience. PwC said the decline represents a return to mid-pandemic levels for a sector that contributes about two-thirds of global GDP and 60 percent of jobs.

‘Traditional strengths such as high reinvestment and low leverage are proving harder to translate into growth amid geopolitical shocks, trade realignments, and advances in generative AI,’ the report stated.

The study shows that most family businesses have shifted from aggressive expansion to consolidation. Firms aiming for ‘steady growth’ now outnumber those chasing rapid expansion, signaling a more defensive strategy under persistent economic uncertainty. Only 22 percent of respondents said they actively innovate during market disruption, while just 3 percent reported reinventing their businesses entirely.

PwC warned that such caution could leave many family firms underprepared for the speed of industrial and technological change. ‘Many family enterprises may be underestimating how much change is coming – and how fast,’ the report noted.

Still, a subset of high-performing family companies continues to outpace peers by embedding purpose, agility, and long-term investment into their strategies. Firms with a clearly articulated purpose are twice as likely to achieve strong growth, while those described as ‘agile’ reported 31 percent double-digit growth, compared with 21 percent among less agile peers.

‘Firms with purpose-driven strategies and patient capital are proving more resilient,’ said Matt Allen, professor of family enterprises at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, which collaborated on the survey.

For African and Nigerian family conglomerates spanning manufacturing, retail, and logistics, the findings mirror a growing shift toward debt control, governance reforms, and selective digital investment instead of diversification or listings. PwC Nigeria analysts said family-owned firms that organize governance and succession structures are better positioned to sustain earnings through 2026 despite volatile markets.

The report concludes that the global family business landscape is entering a slower growth phase where traditional strengths must be redefined. ‘Standing still may feel like progress,’ PwC cautioned, ‘but in today’s environment, stability without innovation is not sustainable.’

President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the tenure of AbuduGaniyu Adebomehin, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, by two years.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the extension, which takes effect from January 5, 2026, was necessitated by the recent transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) to the Presidency.

The Surveyor-General has already initiated reforms across critical sectors of geospatial data systems, which the President is keen to see completed.

The statement said President Tinubu expects that Adebomehin consolidate the reforms within the next two years, focusing on national land management and administration. He is also expected to consolidate the reform on highways and abutting land infrastructure coordination, reclamation and erosion control programmes, and other related matters of strategic national importance.

Recall that Adebomehin was appointed the Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGoF) by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, effective January 5, 2022.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, says his administration is investing ?5 billion to upgrade the Katsina Youth Craft Village into a world-class Centre of Excellence for vocational training and innovation, as part of efforts to drive youth empowerment and skills development across the state.

Speaking at the Government House, Katsina, on Tuesday, during the two-day official visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Radda described Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the true engine of growth, creativity, and job creation, not only in Katsina but across Nigeria.

He noted that MSMEs contribute nearly 49 percent of the country’s GDP and account for more than 80 percent of employment opportunities, underscoring their central role in his government’s economic transformation agenda.

The governor disclosed that the state has moved from manual data gathering to a digital MSME database, designed to capture detailed profiles of entrepreneurs and their activities. ‘We want data that speaks directly to the needs of our entrepreneurs,’ he said.

Radda also revealed that the state, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched non-repayable grants to support small business owners without access to formal credit. The initiative, he said, has already disbursed over ?542 million to beneficiaries across various local governments.

On vocational training, Radda said trainees at the upgraded craft village now earn National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)-certified skills, while select beneficiaries have been sent to Brazil’s SENAI Institute for advanced technical training and global exposure. He maintained that sustainable job creation must go beyond government employment, urging young people to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, and value creation. ‘Our goal is to raise job creators, not job seekers,’ he stated, adding that ‘in today’s world, what you can do matters more than the paper you hold.’

Reflecting on his leadership philosophy, Radda said his administration is guided by sincerity, courage, and accountability, rather than politics. ‘I tell people the truth, what is possible and what is not. My mission is to make a real difference, not just to occupy office,’ he said.

The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their continued support and collaboration with the Katsina State Government in advancing its development goals.