Category: Business Day

The Uyo fashion week, a yearly masterclass on creativity is gradually emerging as a standout tourism event and is showcasing talented designers to boost their entrepreneurship skills in Akwa Ibom.

Now it its fifth year, it has become a platform to reach designers on how to commercialise their enterprise in the creative industry.

With a runway that is attracting designers from far and near, it is contributing to the growing tourism sector and presenting Akwa Ibom at its best in terms of designers and their creativity.

Mae Edmond, the convener of the Uyo Fashion week believes it is a pathway for the young ones who need to be encouraged to boost their talents.

‘We want to showcase Akwa Ibom at its best. We want to showcase the creativity that we have. Because I believe that Akwa Ibom is beautiful. Got creative, talented designers even young ones who just needed the pathway, and platform where they can begin to showcase their creativity and and talents,

‘And by showcasing that, we are able to teach them how to commercialise their enterprise and invariably how to upscale and when they do this, the economy begins to witness a boost.

‘The creative industry is one sector that is powerful, because everybody is affected by the creative sector. Nobody goes out of his house, without the creative industry affecting him, every human being, from what you are wearing, to your shoes, your tie, your perfume,your glasses, your jewelry, it is often in the creative industry.

‘So, for us to be able to showcase Akwa Ibom at its best, we needed to create Uyo Fashion Week, it is about us as a people, as a state, to be able to showcase that which we have and then be able to upscale the creativity within the state,’ she said.

Speaking in an interview to kick start its programme for the fifth year, she expressed optimism that subsequent events would contribute to the amazing work being done by Governor Umo Eno in the tourism industry under the state government’s economic blueprint known as the Arise Agenda which clearly outlines how each each can contribute to the development of the state.

‘We have four years of doing this, and we are looking forward to the fifth year, it is going to be bigger and better, and we know that as we continue to strive to put us on the map, along with the amazing work that the governor is doing under the Arise Agenda, and promoting so much in the tourism industry; so, that is why we thought as designers, to stand up, begin to do our beats in the economy so that working with the government, there can be collaboration and synergy and together we can build bigger Akwa Ibom brand,’ he said.

With support from Ibom Air, the state government’s owned airline, the Uyo Fashion week is set to be an enduring tourism event that will continue to attract tourists to Akwa Ibom state and a veritable platform for assisting designers upscale their businesses.

Highlighting on the need for entrepreneurs to key into the N4bn revolving credit fund available in the state, Meflyn Anwana, an entrepreneur described modelling as an art, fashion as a business and urged designers to secure credit facility being provided by the state government in partnership with the Bank of Industry to ‘build their brands’

Anwana who is also an aide to Governor Umo Eno on entrepreneurship disclosed that over 100 entrepreneurs have so far accessed a total of N10m each for their businesses indicating the governor is passionate about the creative industry.

She urged other organisations to partner with the Convener of the Uyo Fashion Week to boost the tourism industry of Akwa Ibom State.

Celebrity fashion entrepreneur, Ifiokobong Akan, has outlined five principles that young girls must embrace to become the girl they are meant to be and lead the change the world is waiting for.

Top on the list is what she described as ‘The Power of You’, stressing that ‘leading change as a girl begins when you trust your own voice and value’ just as she stressed the need for girls to understand their Identity, which she describes as the combination of personal qualities, values, beliefs, and experiences that define them.

Ifiokobong Akan threw the challenge as a guest speaker at an event to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, which was held Monday 13 October, 2025. at the Akwa Ibom State Government House in the state capital, Uyo.

The event organised by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, AKWA Ibom State, Lady Hellen Eno Obareki, brought together over 500 pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State to the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo.

In her presentation, Akan noted that every powerful woman began their life’s journey as a determined girl, explaining that she personally did not start out knowing who she would become. ‘I began just like many of you – a girl with big dreams, quiet fears, and a strong desire to make a difference.’

The Creative Director and Lead Consultant of House of Borah said young girls must understand the principle of ‘Purpose and Creativity’, turning passion into purpose, and dreams into solutions. She said as a carrier of ideas that can change the community, the girl child should be bold to create, innovate, and build, even when nobody is clapping.

Further drawing from the experience of her personal development, Ifiokobong Akan said that she learned along the way that ‘every great woman begins as a determined girl’ and that ‘you don’t have to wait for tomorrow to lead – leadership begins the moment you believe in your own voice.’

Akan, who was in March 2024, appointed the inaugural Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative, further stressed the need for the girl child to embrace Leadership and Resilience, acknowledging that while there may be crisis, it should be seen as a classroom for growth. ‘True leaders rise when things fall apart’ and ‘Confidence is not noise; it’s the quiet strength that says, ‘I am enough’.

While emphasizing that leadership is not just about position, but a responsibility, Ifiokobong Anthony Akan said young girls must embrace the principle of Sisterhood, which requires the lifting of others as they rise. She affirmed that ‘the future belongs to girls who collaborate, not compete’ as she charged the participants to ‘lift other girls, support their dreams, and celebrate their wins.’

She thanked the Coordinator of the First lady for the opportunity and commended her for all the laudable programmes she has initiated to lift the children and provide succour to those who are in need

Above all, the Akwa Ibom-born fashion entrepreneur further charges the girl child to be consistent in their studies as education opens doors to unlimited opportunities and enable them to compete favourable with the boy child

In her speech, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady , Akwa Ibom state, Lady Hellen Eno Obareki reiterated her commitment to advancing the rights, education and empowerment of the girl child.

The coordinator commended girls in the state for their diligence and innovation. She emphasized that the administration of Governor Umo Eno, through the ARISE Agenda remains committed to creating enabling environment for the girl child to thrive.

This year’s International Day of the girl child with the theme, ‘The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead’ draws dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Member representing Urue Offong Oruko State Constituency in AKS House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Precious Selong; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon Inibehe Silas; Coordinator of ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, Mercy Eka; Facilitator of RHI, Emem Orok; Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Ann Abraham, and other female stakeholders assembled to educate, enlighten, motivate and inspire the girls to be confident and to activate their potentials.

This piece was intended as a continuation of the three-part series, which began last week in my ‘Word Matters’ column, where language wrestles with power and words unmask the comic face of tragedy. However, the archetypal Gateman – the tireless ubiquitous witness at the door of our national psyche – disrupted the course when the virulent gale of defections in Nigeria’s political ecosystem added a layer of benign brokenness to our 26-year ‘unbroken’ democracy. Dutifully stationed at the threshold of our collective irony, the everyman philosopher’s vantage point offers a panoramic view of the chaos that passes for normalcy. It is for his extra-terrestrial omniscience that ‘nothing wey Musa no go see for gate’ has gained traction in Nigeria’s streetwise language.

When the latest batch of political defectors serenaded their supporters with ‘national grid connection’ and ‘undying love’ for their people as reasons for defecting, Musa smiles the knowing smile of the gateman philosopher. He is the silent chronicler of Nigeria’s benign violations, violations so normalized that outrage feels outdated. Yes; he knows that in Nigeria, defection is not betrayal; it is political recycling, a renewable energy of self-preservation. You move not because of ideology but because the soup-pot of stomach infrastructure is boiling elsewhere. So, when Musa hears of defections – that ritualized dance across party lines, he understands it as performance art. Reason? In today’s Nigeria, the political class treats democracy like a revolving door: you exit Party ‘A’ in the morning, enter Party ‘B’ by evening where the red carpet is rolled out for your colourful reception like a prodigal son, whose ‘sins’ have all been forgiven. And before nightfall, you get appointed to a ministerial position!

The foregoing explains the message of the viral WhatsApp post, which Musa stumbled on:

‘Civil servants should also be given the opportunity to defect – for example, from the Ministry of Labour to CBN or NNPC.’

When Musa saw the WhatsApp post, he smiled knowingly. ‘Na true talk,’ he said. ‘Make civil servants too dey defect. After all, dem no go die for one ministry wey no get generator.’ That statement, half joke and half lament, captures Nigeria’s genius for laughing at trauma. The civil servant, trapped in decaying offices, unpaid, unmotivated, watches politicians jump from one platform to another and prosper. His only revolt is laughter – humour as therapy, humour as protest.

It is comic relief; yes, but it’s also piercing social commentary. Because, truly, what is the difference between a politician defecting from PDP to APC or breaking off from APC to coalesce into a coalition with arch political foes-turned bed-fellows and a civil servant defecting from a ‘labouring’ ministry to a more ‘juicy’ agency? It is the same motive – survival, self-interest, and the pursuit of proximity to power. He’s seen politicians defect more times than he’s changed uniforms. He’s watched ministers switch parties and portfolios like shirts; governors reinvent themselves overnight as moral crusaders; and godfathers trade their godsons in political horse swaps. And as the streets would say, Naija na cruise! And in this national cruise ship, even when the captain misreads the compass, the passengers sing and dance to distract themselves from the sinking sensation beneath their feet.

If laughter were a national resource, Nigeria would top the global export chart. From the corridors of power to the WhatsApp groups of frustrated civil servants, humour has become both survival strategy and social commentary – the last lubricant for a system whose democratic machinery grinds and groans like a broken mortar pounding rotten palm nuts. Within minutes, the post went viral, sparking a national giggle. From WhatsApp to X (formerly Twitter), Nigerians reposted it with laughing emojis. But beneath the laughter lurked a piercing truth: what if the humour wasn’t just comic relief but social diagnosis? What if that post, in its innocent absurdity, captured the entire pathology of Nigeria’s democracy? That, precisely, is what Peter McGraw and Caleb Warren’s Benign Violation Theory (BVT) helps us unpack.

According to McGraw and Warren, humour occurs when something violates the way we think the world ought to be, yet feels somehow okay – safe enough to laugh at. The violation becomes benign when it is recognized as wrong but not threatening. That WhatsApp post is a perfect case study. The ‘defection’ of civil servants from one ministry to another is absurd, a clear violation of bureaucratic order; but it is also benign because it mirrors the already normalized absurdity in the political class. It is a mirror joke; civil servants are parodying politicians. The humour works because it is both wrong and true. In that short post lies the distilled irony of Nigeria’s democratic farce. Politicians defect with reckless abandon, citing ‘consultations with stakeholders,’ ‘alignment of values,’ or ‘the need to join hands for national development.’ Everyone knows these are euphemisms for survival and self-interest, but we laugh instead of revolt. That laughter – the coping laughter – is our national benign violation.

The laughter that follows is both spontaneous and self-defensive, a way to process the absurd without losing one’s sanity. Benign Violation Theory explains why this joke lands. The ‘violation’ – bureaucratic defection – is socially unthinkable, but because political defection has become normalized, the idea feels benign enough to laugh at. Humour thus becomes revelation. Through laughter, Nigerians tell the truth that formal discourse dare not speak – that our democracy is not broken because of defection; defection is our democracy.

There is an Igbo street idiom that captures the unending dance between resignation and absurdity: ‘Nwoke na ihe na-eme.’ Literally translated, ‘Man (nwoke) and (na) things (ihe) are doing (na-eme).’ Musa, the gateman is daily wrestling with existential challenges. It is the perfect metaphor for life in Nigeria, where events act upon man rather than the other way around. Musa wakes up to new policies, new taxes, new tariffs. Musa adjusts and re-adjusts his belt on end. Musa groans; yet, he laughs because, well, what else can he do? Wetin man go do? When fuel subsidy is removed ‘for your own good’ and the price of transport triples overnight, ‘man and things are doing.’ When a government announces wage awards that cannot buy bread, and yet receives ‘tiri gbozaa’ from workers’ union, ‘man and things are doing.’ When a lawmaker justifies corruption as ‘constituency project,’ ‘man and things are doing.’ This is the heart of BVT in Nigeria – the constant negotiation between outrage and laughter, pain and parody. We laugh not because we are naïve but because laughter has become our only non-lethal form of protest.

When ‘fuel subsidy is gone,’ was declared, it was meant to be a transformative speech act, a performative utterance that changes reality. But like all failed performatives, it lacked felicity conditions: sincerity, capability, and context. The same subsidy that was ‘gone’ returned through the backdoor under different names – ‘under-recovery,’ ‘FX shortfall payments,’ ‘Accelerated Stabilization Advancement Plan (ASAP)’. Soon after, the World Bank applauded the ‘macroeconomic discipline,’ while the IMF forecasted 3.9% growth. Then, before the applause died down, the World Bank itself reminded us that over 139 million Nigerians (about 61%) had been pushed below the poverty line by those same policies. And so Musa laughed again: ‘Na wa o! So, World Bank sef dey defect; today, dem dey praise, tomorrow dem dey blame. Even IMF dey ‘do man’!’ In that humour lies a powerful cognitive dissonance – the dissonance of institutions that hail hunger as ‘growth’ and poverty as ‘stability.’

Musa flips to the next page – ‘Naija no dey carry last’ – the popular boast that Nigeria always excels – which now sounds like cosmic irony. According to recent reports, Nigeria ranks at or near the bottom on most global indices: lowest life expectancy (54.9 years), lowest quality of life, and among the lowest rule of law scores (120th of 142 nations in the 2024 WJP Index). Our GDP may rank 57th nominally and 27th in PPP, but what is the meaning of GDP when citizens cannot afford a loaf of bread? Yet, the official rhetoric remains upbeat. ‘We are on the path to greatness.’ This is the kind of benign violation that fuels Nigeria’s comedy industry. It is the sweet spot where pain becomes performance. ‘Naija na cruise,’ the street says. And truly, it is, a cruise without a compass, where laughter replaces life jackets.

Musa, from his gate, sees democracy not as governance but as a comic theatre, a running sitcom. It is like a badly tuned talking drum – noisy, hollow, and directionless. It is the broken mortar that can no longer hold the pounding of genuine reform, and the rotten palm nut that releases no oil of justice or accountability. Each election cycle introduces new episodes of the same old series. The characters change costumes, but the plot remains unchanged. Political parties are no longer ideological homes but transient hotels. Manifestoes are mere PowerPoints for campaign trails. Yet, the irony is that this democracy, despite all its cracks, refuses to break. It limps, groans, malfunctions – but somehow remains ‘unbroken.’ That is the final twist of benign violation; even our failure is resilient. Musa as usual chuckles. And so, Nigerians like Musa, cope through laughter, not because we don’t understand the gravity of our situation, but because humour is the last refuge of the brokenhearted. As McGraw and Warren might say, we have perfected the art of ‘benign interpretation,’ seeing our collective suffering as cruise, our tragedy as trend, our despair as meme.

Nonetheless, McGraw and Warren caution that humour, though healthy, can also be anesthetic. When we laugh too much at our own pain, we risk normalizing it. That WhatsApp post about defecting civil servants is funny; yes, but it is also dangerous. It teaches us to accept absurdity as normal, to substitute satire for solution. Every time we turn defection into meme, we make corruption less scandalous and more shareable. The joke becomes the smoke that hides the fire. Laughter, once subversive, becomes complicit. Yet, one cannot blame Nigerians for laughing. When outrage yields no reform, laughter becomes the only safe rebellion left.

To conclude, Nigeria’s humour is world-class, but our governance is world-worn. We have perfected the art of laughing at our wounds, but laughter cannot replace treatment. The WhatsApp joke about civil servants defecting is more than comic genius; it is a mirror held up to a disfigured polity. We can laugh, yes. But at some point, the laughter must stop being benign and start being transformative. As much as humour cushions pain, it can also normalize dysfunction. The challenge, therefore, is to turn benign violation into productive violation – laughter that awakens rather than anesthetizes. We must convert wit to will, jest to justice. We must learn to laugh and act; to mock and mend; to see the absurdity not as entertainment but as motivation for change.

The broken mortar must be replaced, the rotten nuts discarded; so that the oil of democracy can flow. As long as we keep pounding decay, we will keep producing heat without light. The day Nigerians decide that the joke has gone too far – that the violation is no longer benign – that is the day laughter will turn to national rebirth. When laughter becomes language for reform, when satire sparks civic courage, then perhaps, the mortar will be mended, and the oil will flow again. Until then, Musa remains at his post, shaking his head at the parade of absurdities, whispering that eternal refrain that has become our national philosophy: ‘Nothing wey Musa no go see for gate. Because for Naija, man and things are doing.’

Nigeria’s women entrepreneurs are set for a major boost as top corporate brands throw their weight behind the 2025 Abuja Trade Fair.

Organisers have confirmed that First Bank of Nigeria will serve as the headline sponsor, while Amstel Malta, MTN, Nigerian Breweries, and FIBI have joined as major partners.

The fair, scheduled to hold from October 31 to November 2, 2025, will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, formerly known as the National Stadium.

The annual trade fair, packaged by OKADS Seafoods and supported by the Development Bank of Nigeria and SMEDAN, is designed to promote women’s economic empowerment by connecting female entrepreneurs, local producers, and small business owners to new markets and networks.

According to Ebiere Empere, the convener and CEO of OKADS Seafoods, the choice of Moshood Abiola Stadium as this year’s venue was deliberate, following the growing popularity and attendance the fair has enjoyed over the years.

‘This is expected to be one of the largest trade expos in Abuja in recent times.

‘Last year, at the Old Parade Ground in Garki, the venue was filled beyond capacity, and exhibitors smiled to the banks. This year, we are expanding to accommodate the surge in interest and to create more space for participants and visitors’, Empere told journalists over the weekend. Empere disclosed that exhibitors are expected from not only Abuja but also neighbouring states, seeking to leverage the platform to build new networks and market access for their brands.

In a move aimed at supporting small-scale traders, she revealed that at least 100 local market women will receive a 100 percent discount on exhibition stands to showcase their goods. ‘We want to ensure inclusiveness and economic visibility for women at all levels. This is not just a trade fair, it’s a platform for empowerment and exposure.

‘It also provides an opportunity for smart shoppers to get their holiday supplies before the usual Christmas price hike sets in’, she added.

The three-day fair will feature a shopping extravaganza, a village market, service centres, entertainment hubs, and a kiddies’ zone, creating a family-friendly atmosphere for visitors.

The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) has commended the federal government for its efforts to develop the Nigerian water waterways and make them safer, and for supporting the tourism industry, while also calling for greater government support to develop these sectors.

The call was made by Ganiyu Tarzan Balogun, national president of the association, who is also managing director/CEO, Tarzan Marine Enterprises, when a delegation of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) paid him a courtesy visit to present to him an ANJET award notification letter. ANJET plans to honour him for years of dedicated service to the Nigerian tourism industry.

Speaking on nomination for the award, the ATBOWATON president explained that he accepted the award coming from ANJET because of members of the association’s vast knowledge of the industry and those that have contributed in shaping it. Balogun, a prominent figure in the maritime and tourism industries, thanked ANJET for believing in him, honouring and supporting him in the industry. He stated that if the government wants to encourage the operators in the business, those on ground should be encouraged and supported as well as whomever that is showing interest in the business as well.

He advised the government against killing the operators already in existence in the industry so that they can pave ways for their friends, or their brothers to come in.

According to him, ‘Some of the civil servants don’t like the truth because it doesn’t favor them. Most of the things they do is because of what they can get as a personal interest. So for that reason, it’s depreciating, revising and bringing tourism back a bit because those who are doing the tourism business are not encouraged’.

Balogun mentioned people like Sarat Braimoh of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, who always wants to do things the way they should be done, regardless of who is concerned.

He commended the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for providing 42000 free life jackets for boat operators.

He said: ‘You cannot enter Tarzan boats without a life jacket. What is the excuse for that now? The government has given us life jackets. Beside the one I bought; I just sent a supply of 150 life jackets about three months ago before the federal government came.

‘In addition to this, over the years, my association, ATBOWATON, was the first that started enforcement of life jackets for all the passengers on our members’ boats. That was at Mekwen jetty by Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos.’ He called on all boat operators in the country to support the government by doing the right things on the waterways (making sure passengers wear life jackets). Balogun narrated how he advocated for the establishment of a filling station on the waterways for boat operators during a meeting with President Obasanjo in Aso Rock.

Balogun narrated further that: ‘They didn’t give us a fuel station here. But at least, they gave it to some other places.

‘What I am trying to say is that, after he left there, the successive government was supposed to continue from where he stopped. Now go to those places, there’s no fuel there.

At a personal level, as part of my company’s corporate social responsibility, I used to ferry students in Lagos from Tarkwa Bay to Lagos and back free when I was living there. When I moved to Lagos, I was doing the same at Eleke Crescent Victoria Island until I moved to Maroko, opposite Oniru Estate. I am now in Badore, I still ferry students in uniform, police, navy and army personnel in uniform free, up till today’.

Presenting the nomination letter, Okorie Uguru, ANJET president, applauded Balogun for his continuous support for the promotion of safety and growth of water transportation in Nigeria.

He said that Balogun was meritoriously chosen for the award based on his pedigree in promoting the growth of water transportation and tourism in the country.

Speaking also, Frank Meke, a renowned travel and tourism journalist, thanked Tarzan Balogun for his contribution to the growth of water transportation and tourism in the country. Meke noted that Balogun has the institutional memory of transformation of the water transportation business in the country.

‘When we talk about people like this, they should at least listen and learn from his experience, because he has the memory of it all. Tarzan is an enigma. He’s an institution’, Meke said.

He said Tarzan Balogun has touched lives in the industry which is why God is keeping him alive

He stated that the history of water transportation in Nigeria cannot be complete without the mention of Tarzan Balogun.

He thanked ANJET for recognizing and honouring Tarzan Balogun, adding that he is proud to be associated with him.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) stormed Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, last week, with the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) tool for the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) era application.

Realising that Nigeria is full of small and medium Enterprises (SMEs), NEPC seemed to resolve to equip that segment of the economy to break free from lethargy in export business and join efforts.

The training on AfCFTA GTI was spearheaded by Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (ED/CEO) of NEPC, who was represented in Port Harcourt by Arnold Jackson, the Director, State Offices Coordinating Department, NEPC Headquarters.

The Council drilled the exporters on entry into the inter-african trade, showing how SMEs ca play big. The presentation showed opportunities that abound for SMEs which make up 96% of Nigerian businesses contributing over 48% to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to experts at the event.

The SMEs who employ about 84% of workers operate in diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, ICT, and services. Experts say despite this huge potential, SMEs in Nigeria face challenges such as limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, and regulatory bottlenecks. Now, however, AfCFTA is said to have come to open up a transformative landscape for SMEs in Nigeria in so many ways.

Access to market is said to be one of the biggest openings. ‘SMEs can now trade across 54 African countries with fewer restrictions; This expands customer bases from local to continental, boosting sales and visibility.’

On reduction of tariffs, it is said that AfCFTA aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods by 2030, a lower trade cost means Nigerian SMEs can price their products more competitively across Africa.

On business expansion and diversification, SMEs can diversify their offerings to meet regional demands. For example, Nigerian textiles, agro-products, and processed foods are in high demand in countries like Ghana and Kenya, which can create an opening for Nigerian products.

In terms of collaboration and networking, the agreement is said to encourage cross-border partnerships, joint ventures, and knowledge sharing. Some citizens in countries in West and South Africa are said to be forcing Nigerian business owners to make them partners as condition for being allowed to trade in their countries. This can be done through legitimate means and with mutual benefits rather than by force to the detriment of the visitors.

The presentation shows that SMEs can tap into new supply chains and innovation hubs across Africa. On increased competitiveness, it was held that exposure to regional competition pushes SMEs to improve product quality, branding, and service delivery. This is said to foster innovation and long-term growth.

Support from institutions is another avenue. This is because Nigerian agencies like NEPC, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the National Associations of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) are said to be aligning programmess to help SMEs leverage AfCFTA. Training, export certification, and trade facilitation are being scaled up.

NEPC said its objective in coming to PH is to increase the exporter’s knowledge and understanding of AfCFTA; introduce the concept of Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) to exporters; create opportunities for shared learning; intimate exporters on ways of realigning their business models to leverage on AfCFTA tariff concession; offer expert advice on how exporters can leverage export opportunities provided by GTI to expand market frontiers; and to discuss appropriate packaging materials for AfCFTA market.

Giving an overview on the journey of the AfCFTA, the presentation said AfCFTA is the flagship project of the African Union to realize the aspiration outlined in Agenda 2063, a blueprint for attaining inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.

In 2012, it said, leaders of the African Union agreed to create a new Continental Free Trade Area, at a summit in Addis Ababa.

In 2012, 44 countries signed the AfCFTA at a summit in Kigali, Nigeria non-inclusive, but, on April 29, 2019, the agreement was ratified by 22 states, meeting the threshold for the free trade area to formally exist. As a result, the AfCFTA came into effect on 30 May 2019.

On July 7, 2019, Nigeria signed the agreement, making her the 53rd out of 55 African Union states to have signed the agreement (Eritrea yet to sign). In Dec 2020, Nigeria ratified the agreement making it the 34th State Party. Coming of PAPSS:

An important tool for AfCFTA to achieve effective operation was found to be a payment system. Thus, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, an operational instrument of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) designed to facilitate instant, cross-border payments using local currencies across Africa, was created.

The pilot for PAPSS was focused on the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ). Nigeria and Ghana concluded a 1st successful transaction via PAPSS in October, 2022. PAPSS will save Africa over $5 billion annually due to foreign currency exchange and promote the use of African currency in trade.

The Adjustment Fund to respond to the challenges of short- term negative impact of the liberalization process on State Parties’ fiscal capacities was also created. An Agreement relating to the management of the Base Fund was signed on 9th February 2022 with Afreximbank

It consists of Base, General and Credit Funds: Base Fund – Contributions from State Parties, grants and technical assistance funds to address tariff revenue losses and support countries to implement the AfCFTA Agreement; General Fund – Concessional funding; Credit Fund – Commercial funding to support both the public and private sectors, enabling them to adjust and take advantage of the opportunities created by the AfCFTA. Another important aspect of the GTI is the Rules of Origin (RoO): A regime governing the conditions under which a product can be traded duty free across the region. It shows that 88.03% of the tariff lines have been concluded -what remains are automotive industry and textiles.

The manual spells out in detail guidelines on the application of the rules used in determining the origin status of Goods, procedures of administering the rules and the institutional framework for the implementation of the AfCFTA Rules of Origin.

The manual aims to enable uniform interpretation and application of the AfCFTA Rules of Origin in the State Parties. A certificate of origin (CO) is the document declaring in which country a commodity or good was manufactured. The certificate of origin contains information regarding the product, its destination, and the country of export.

It is required by many treaty agreements for cross-border trade. The Certificate of Origin helps to determine whether certain goods are eligible for import, or whether goods are subject to duties. Nigeria Customs Services is the Competent Authority that issues Certificates of Origin. The AfCFTA e-Tariff Book is part of the Digitalisation and Trade Facilitation journey of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

It is said to include of Rules of Origin with the customs procedures applicable to each product traded under the AfCFTA. It allows traders to identify their products with the product-specific RoO and customs procedures that is necessary to fulfil in order to qualify for preferential trade under the AfCFTA.

The NTB Portal is said to serve as Reporting, Monitoring and Eliminating Mechanism; Private sector/traders can file complaints on specific trade obstacles; Procedure – Reported complaint is transmitted for reaction and resolution within time; The resolution of NTBs will boost intra-African trade; Elimination of NTBs in line with Annex 5 on NTBs.

The Observatory serves as a repository of trade information; allows for monitoring pace of trade; provides updated and reliable data for informed business and policy decision; and helps in monitoring the implementation process and impact of the AfCFTA Agreement. Voices at the workshop:

Earlier, NEPC gave Nigerian exporters list of products with which to attack the export market in Africa. The products are believed to move fast in export market.

These were highlighted in the keynote speech presented by Nonye Ayeni, the ED/CEO of NEPC at the AfCFTA GTI workshop.

The keynote address said at the last Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) held in Algiers (Algeria), Nigerian enterprises generated millions of Dollars in signed deals and Nigeria won the ‘Best Pavilion for Doing Business’.

Ayeni said in order to ensure active participation in AfCFTA, the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) was conceived. ‘This is a practical, pilot programme designed by AfCFTA Secretariat to move the agreement from theory to practice. It started in 2022 with seven countries (Ghana, Rwanda, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius and Tanzania) to test the trading documents, customs procedures and the rule of origin on pre-selected shipments.’

She said the range of products being prioritized under the expanded GTI were value-added agricultural products, manufactured products, garment and textile, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and services, all of which are in abundance in Nigeria.

Ayeni said the day’s focus was to ensure that Nigerian exporters were not left behind. ‘We must actively position our businesses especially SMEs to seize the early mover advantages that GTI offers.’

Arnold added that NEPC wants to mainstream the initiative because each of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria has one thing to produce and export.

In a welcome address, Benedict Itegbe, the NEPC regional coordinator, harped on the need for Africans to trade among themselves to unlock the major opportunities that are available in the continent. To that extent, he said, AfCFTA Nigeria has been able to create structures and platforms that would facilitate trading among African nations with the GTI.

He said: ‘First stage was a huge success, second stage is ongoing and today we have the privilege of having some experienced professionals in the venue to explain the processes with all round information on the opportunities.

‘We have a lot of women in our midst. We are committed to empowering women in non-oil export. We are all aware of our latest partnership with World Trade Centre (WTC) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) headed by our own sister (Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) and a lot have been done to empower women through discoveries and grant.’ Promotion of non-oil export has been intensive in the Niger Delta in recent years.

The seminar was expected to rouse interest of Nigerians in the south-south to participate in AfCFTA with huge enthusiasm.

NEPC said the Guided Trade Initiative is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to the African Continental Free Trade Area. The CEO said: ‘Let us be the generation of Nigeria business leaders who looked out at the continent and saw not barriers, but boundless opportunities. Let us be the ones who moved from aspiration to operation, who turned the promise of 1.4 billion people into prosperity for our people.’

The clarion call seems to be to rouse Nigerians of this generation to make the Guided Trade Initiative the springboard for Nigeria’s exporters to conquer African markets and beyond.

The Broadway Movie Academy has officially announced the commencement of its intensive creative training programme, set to begin on January 8, 2026, in Lagos. The one-month immersive programme will provide participants with hands-on training across five core areas, including acting, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and producing. The academy will also host exclusive masterclasses featuring some of Nollywood’s finest and most respected professionals, including: Bimbo Akintola, Yvonne Jegede, Daniel Oriahi, Uzor Arukwe, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bayo ‘Lion’ Adedeji, Moses Babatope, Ruth Kadiri, Itele D’Icon, Dele Momodu, Fathia Williams, Rogers Ofime, Chineze Anyaene, and James Omokwe.

The academy, which is an NGO initiative by The Hype Agency, spearheaded by Samuel Olatuji (Bigsam), is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers by bridging the gap between raw talent and professional mastery. Participants will receive practical instruction, mentorship, and exposure designed to prepare them for the realities of today’s fast-evolving film industry. Each trainee will also collaborate on a short film project, serving as part of their professional showreel.

The academy boasts an impressive faculty roster with seasoned industry professionals leading various departments. The faculty lecturers include: Yvonne Jegede (acting), Darlington Abula (producing), Samuel Olatunji ‘Bigsam’ (directing), Bolarinwa Okeowo (cinematography), and Adeniji Damola (producing – art of assistant directing). The heads of faculty are: Bimbo Akintola (acting), Daniel Oriahi (directing), Okpe Andy (cinematography), Osagie Wale Muriana (producing), and Kehinde Joseph (screenwriting).

In addition, the academy’s stellar lineup of masterclass speakers includes Uzor Arukwe, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bayo ‘Lion’ Adedeji, Moses Babatope, Ruth Kadiri, Itele D’Icon, Dele Momodu, Fathia Williams, Rogers Ofime, Chineze Anyaene, and James Omokwe. They will be sharing valuable insights on key industry topics. The sessions will cover how to deliver unforgettable performances as an actor, personal branding, cracking the code of television and YouTube monetisation, getting corporates to buy into your vision and brand, the business of filmmaking, and how to stand out as an actor, director, or crew member in today’s competitive Nollywood landscape.

Through its mix of expert mentorship, hands-on learning, and real-world exposure, the Broadway Movie Academy aims to redefine creative education and empower a new wave of filmmakers ready to transform Nollywood’s storytelling landscape.

Nigeria’s leading hygiene brand, Dettol, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing hand hygiene in Nigeria with the commemoration of Global Hand Washing Day 2025, held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), and Kiddies ‘n’ Brands, a Reckitt Catalyst beneficiary.

This year’s theme, ‘Be a Hero, One Hand Wash at a Time,’ reinforces the power of individual action in driving collective change through hand washing, one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent illness and improve public health.

The flagship event, held on October 15th in Abuja, brought together key government officials, development partners, and members of the media to promote hand hygiene awareness nationwide. The event featured practical hand washing demonstrations led by Dettol and a renewed commitment by stakeholders to scale hygiene education across communities.

Delivering the goodwill message at the event, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Communications and Partnerships, Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, reiterated Dettol’s leadership in hygiene advocacy and its long-standing partnership with the Federal Government.

‘At Reckitt, through our flagship brand, Dettol, we have remained deeply committed to the promotion of hand hygiene for decades. Hand Washing is not just a routine practice; it is a basic human right, a key to well-being, and one of the most effective ways to prevent illness and improve public health outcomes. Our long-standing advocacy for hand hygiene is rooted in the belief that clean hands save lives, and hygiene is the foundation for health.

To bring this commitment to life, we have continued to work closely with the Federal and State governments, championing hygiene and sanitation education that empowers communities and strengthens public health across Nigeria.’ she said.

The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, commended Dettol and its partners for their sustained advocacy and contribution to Nigeria’s hygiene and sanitation goals, urging continued collaboration toward a healthier nation.

‘I commend Reckitt, through its Dettol brand, and our development partners, Action Against Hunger, UNICEF, WaterAid and others for their continued support in driving hygiene and sanitation improvements across Nigeria. Hand Washing with soap remains a first-line defence against disease and a foundation for dignity, productivity, and well-being. However, ensuring that this simple act becomes a way of life requires sustained advocacy, innovation, and collective effort. The Federal Government remains committed to working with the private sector to scale up access to hygiene facilities and strengthen behaviour change. Together, we can empower every Nigerian to be a hand washing hero and safeguard our nation’s health,’ he said.

In addition to the Abuja event, Dettol’s partners extended the Global Hand Washing Day commemoration to communities in Lagos and Kwara States. In Lagos, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Kiddies ‘n’ Brands led community and school-based engagements across Ijora and Alimosho, where students and caregivers participated in fun, interactive hygiene demonstrations reinforcing the importance of regular hand washing in line with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6. Similarly, in Kwara, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa continued its Hygiene Quest programme, educating schoolchildren and families on best hygiene practices.

As part of its broader public health agenda, Dettol continues to lead impactful initiatives such as Dettol Clean Naija and the Reckitt Catalyst Initiatives, which have empowered millions of Nigerians with hygiene education and supported innovative social enterprises in the WASH and Health sector.

Through these initiatives, Dettol underscores how simple daily actions like hand washing can make a life-saving difference. Together with the government and partners, Reckitt remains committed to building a Nigeria where everyone can be a hygiene hero.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State on Friday formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos, where Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, who is from the state delivered a speech rallying support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Yilwatda praised Tinubu’s leadership, citing achievements in economic growth, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment as evidence of a progressive administration worthy of continuity.

‘We have every reason to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a second term,’ he said, highlighting economic growth and oil production gains under Tinubu’s leadership.

He emphasized that Tinubu had given a voice to marginalised groups, referencing the appointment of the first Managing Director of the North Central Development Commission from Plateau State.

Yilwatda described APC as the ‘bride of the moment,’ revealing that more senators, governors, and National Assembly members are quietly returning to the party, including some from PDP and ADC.

Yilwatda urged party members to remain united, saying the APC is healthy, growing stronger, and fully prepared to secure electoral victory in Plateau and across Nigeria in 2027.

Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, attorney general of the federation.and Minister of Justice, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has placed education, digital economy development, and human capital advancement at the centre of the national development strategy.

Fagbami disclosed this while presenting a lecture titled ‘The Intersection of Law, Digital Technology and Human Resourcefulness in Transforming University Education in Nigeria’ as part of activities slated for the 9th convocation ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State.

He said ‘The policy framework of the present administration recognises that Nigeria’s demographic advantage can only be realised through strategic investments in educational excellence and innovation that prepare citizens for productive participation in the global economy.’

He equally pointed out that the administration’s commitment to educational transformation extends beyond traditional infrastructure development to encompass systematic reforms in curriculum development, technology integration, and institutional capacity building.

He said. ‘The establishment of 67 new higher institutions in the two years, with a focus on specialised fields such as agriculture, environment, health sciences, sports, and technology, demonstrates strategic alignment between university development and national economic diversification objectives. ‘It is noteworthy that in August this year, after an extensive review the state of tertiary education, President Tinubu placed a moratorium on establishing new universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

‘The move responds to widespread under enrolment and resource allocation issues in existing institutions, with some running far below capacity. By pausing expansion, the government has sought to focus on improving quality, strengthening facilities, and raising academic standards to ensure Nigerian graduates remain competitive globally.’

The Minister of Justice pointed out that the transformation of Nigerian university education requires collective responsibility, extending beyond individual institutions or government agencies. He noted that government must provide enabling policy frameworks and strategic leadership to achieve the desired transformation in education sector.

He said ‘Universities must embrace change while preserving their essential functions. Students must engage actively in their education. Society must support educational excellence while holding institutions accountable.’