Category: Business Day

Something BIG is coming to Lagos this World Food Day, and if you haven’t marked your calendar, it is about time you did so.

It’s the Eko World Food Day Fair.

Happening on Thursday, October 16th, 2025, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) invites stakeholders and the general public to a remarkable day dedicated to empowering farmers and strengthening local food systems. The event aims to bring together farmers, consumers, development partners, and community stakeholders in a shared effort to promote food security, empower local producers, and celebrate the people who feed our communities.

The Fair, themed ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and Better Future’, is more than just an event; it’s a direct intervention to foster food security by making food affordable and empowering the backbone of Nigeria’s food system-our smallholder farmers.

By registering for and attending the fair, you directly contribute to sustainable agriculture and community impact by supporting local farmers and securing high-quality produce.

The fair provides a unique platform for smallholder farmers and agripreneurs to showcase their produce, connect directly with consumers, and secure fair market value for their goods. Beyond promoting local sourcing and sustainable agriculture, the event reinforces BATNF’s commitment to improving livelihoods and strengthening food systems through inclusive market opportunities.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 16th, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM

Venue: Ikeja Police College Field

Theme: Hand in Hand for Better Foods and Better Future

The fair will spotlight smallholder farmers’ access to markets, promote fair trade, and highlight sustainable solutions driving agricultural growth across Nigeria. Download the BATN Foundation on the iOS or Google Play Store today and register to make sure you don’t miss out on the incredible prices and other opportunities in celebrating community impact and sustainable agriculture

The United Kingdom has announced new immigration reforms that will require migrants to demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency before being allowed to live and work in the country.

Under the new rules, applicants for skilled worker, scale-up, and high potential individual (HPI) visas will need to attain at least a B2 standard in English, equivalent to A-level proficiency, an upgrade from the current B1 level, which aligns with GCSE standard.

The measure, which takes effect on 8 January 2026, is part of the government plan to cut migration levels and strengthen social integration.

Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary, said the government’s decision reflects its commitment to ensuring that migrants can fully participate in British society.

She stated that people coming to the UK must learn the language and contribute meaningfully to the national community.

‘This country has always welcomed those who come here and contribute. But it is unacceptable for migrants to arrive without learning our language or being able to engage in our national life’, Mahmood said.

Under the new policy, applicants will be tested in person across four areas, speaking, listening, reading, and writing, at Home Office-approved centres.

Their results will be verified before a visa is issued. The change will primarily affect those seeking skilled worker visas, scale-up visas for fast-growing businesses, and high potential individual visas available to recent graduates from top global universities. Skilled worker visa holders must be employed by approved companies and earn at least £41,700 a year, or the ‘going rate’ for their role, whichever is higher.

According to the British Council, individuals who reach B2 level can understand complex texts on various topics, express themselves fluently and spontaneously, and write detailed, coherent text on a wide range of subjects. The Home Office said additional English proficiency requirements for other visa routes and family dependants will be introduced in the near future.

The new language requirement is part of immigration white paper released in May, which seeks to make the UK’s immigration system ‘controlled, selective and fair.’

Home Office estimates suggest that the measures could reduce annual migration by up to 100,000 people. Net migration fell to 431,000 in 2024.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in preparations for his defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

The had announced his resignation from the main opposition, PDP, on Wednesday, taking with him, 23 members of the State House of Assembly.

Daniel Alabara, the Governor’s spokesperson, confirmed the resignation on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

He disclosed that Governor Diri will be pitching his tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This confirmation ends months of speculations over the sensitive issue of the governor’s defection to the ruling APC.

Prior to his movement from the party, Governor Diri recently headed the PDP National Elective Convention Organising Committee which approved the zoning of the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has moved to the south-south with strategies to mobilise the region for participation in the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) of the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

This is as the Council also revealed products that move fast in intra-Africa trade.

These were highlighted in the keynote speech presented by Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, at the AfCFTA GTI workshop in Port Harcourt on Onboarding Nigerian Exporters into the AfCFTA through the GTI.

The keynote address, which was delivered on CEO’s behalf by Arnold Jackson (Director, State Offices Coordinating Department, NEPC Headquarters), said Nigeria has joined in the GTI which now has 24 countries after the initial group of five.

She said 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’.

She said the range of products being prioritized under the expanded GTI are 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.’

She said Nigerian exporters now have access to a continental market where over 90% of tariffs will gradually be eliminated. ‘This means reduced costs and increased competitiveness for Nigerian products and services.’

She said many FG agencies were poised to help Nigerian entrepreneurs to play big in AfCFTA. The NEPC boss mentioned ways of supporting SMEs to hook up bigtime in AfCFTA, such as capacity building through training exporters on AfCFTA protocols, rules of origin, standards, and market requirements; etc.

She also talked about export financing including expanding access to financing instruments that help exporters scale production and meet demand; digital platforms such as leveraging technology for market intelligence, e-certificates of origin, and trade documentation.

She said the opportunities offered by AfCFTA were in form of give-and-take, for Nigeria to fully benefit, exporters must rise up to the challenges by ensuring compliance with quality standards and certification. It also requires building competitiveness through innovation and value-addition; collaborating across sectors to create regional value chains; and actively engaging with NEPC and other agencies to address challenges encountered during GTI participation.

She said: ‘In conclusion, the Guided Trade Initiative is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to the African Continental Free Trade Area. 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.

‘Together, let us make the Guided Trade Initiative the springboard for Nigeria’s exporters to conquer African markets and beyond.’

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 (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.

At just 19 years old, Tamarapreye Dimaro has already carved out a remarkable academic journey, graduating with first-class honours in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Covenant University and emerging as the best graduating student in her course.

Tamara, as she is fondly called, who happens to be the eldest of her siblings, credits her early exposure to leadership and responsibility for shaping her mindset and values.

Raised in a family where discipline, faith, and planning were the cornerstones of growth, she was taught from a young age to believe that ‘nothing is impossible with the right mindset.’ This belief would later define her academic and personal pursuits.

‘I’ve learned not to wait for opportunities, but to prepare diligently and create the right conditions for them to unfold,’ she said.

A love for tech, rooted in purpose

Tamara’s choice to study Management Information Systems came from a deep fascination with how technology solves real-world problems.

Her course introduced her to both technical fields, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering, as well as business disciplines such as Project Management, Systems Accounting, and E-Commerce.

‘MIS integrates technology, IT infrastructure, people, and business intelligence to drive decision-making. I found that incredibly empowering,’ she explained.

From aspiration to achievement

Though her academic path was challenging, Tamarapreye was not surprised by her first-class finish; rather is deeply grateful. After a tough start in her first semester, she redefined her approach to learning, developing a study routine that included daily planning, class engagement, and strategic revision techniques such as active recall.

‘I wasn’t driven by constant motivation but by systems and discipline,’ she said. ‘Excellence became a habit, not a feeling.’

This strategy paid off, as she maintained first-class grades across six consecutive semesters, two of which were perfect 5.00 GPAs.

A full life on campus

Beyond academics, she led a well-rounded university life. She served as a wing representative in her hall, was a 2024 Millennium Fellow, and participated in the Hult Prize competition. Time management, she notes, was key, not about doing everything but about doing the most important things well.

Despite her packed schedule, she maintained close connections with family and friends and regularly carved out time for relaxation.

‘Those quiet moments with friends or a quick game helped me recharge. Balance is everything,’ she said.

Overcoming challenges with grit and grace

The rigorous balance of technical and business courses, especially during exams, often pushed her to the edge. Her final year, in particular, brought the additional challenge of a demanding research project on stock price prediction using hybrid machine learning models.

‘There were moments I felt drained, but I learned that resilience is about never getting tired, it’s about showing up, even when you are,’ she shared.

Her structured planning, support from family, especially her mother, and a circle of equally driven friends helped her stay grounded and accountable.

Redefining excellence

Asked whether the increase in first-class graduates is due to declining academic standards, Tamara firmly disagrees.

‘At Covenant University, excellence is earned, not handed out. My grades reflect hard work, discipline, and genuine learning,’ she emphasised.

She credits her lecturers for upholding high standards and providing mentorship that challenged her to grow, both intellectually and personally.

Looking ahead: Innovation, impact, and inclusion

For her, graduation is only the beginning. She envisions a future where she can drive Africa’s digital transformation through technology-driven governance, AI, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure development.

‘I want to build solutions that impact businesses, governments, and communities across Africa. I’m especially passionate about bridging digital gaps and creating platforms for others to thrive,’ Tamara explained.

She also plans to mentor young African girls and women in tech, committed to being a part of the generation that redefines global perceptions of African talent.

‘Excellence isn’t just personal, it’s generational. I want my journey to inspire others to pursue purpose, not just performance,’ she emphasised.

Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State has stated that his administration will not engage in negotiations with bandits operating in parts of the state but remains open to peace initiatives led by local communities.

The Governor disclosed this on Wednesday when he commissioned 100 newly trained officers of the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch), expanding the security outfit’s presence to 20 of the state’s 34 local government areas.

Speaking during the passing-out ceremony of the third batch of C-Watch officers in Katsina, Radda highlighted his administration’s sustained efforts to restore lasting peace across the state.

According to him, ‘When we launched the Community Watch Corps over two years ago, we were in uncharted territory. The learning curve was steep, and the uncertainty was high. We were a new administration with the arduous task of bringing peace and security to many parts of the state.

‘The only thing I was certain of was my administration’s determination to bring an end to banditry in Katsina State. I campaigned on it, and the trust of the people was not going to be forsaken.’

The newly graduated officers will be deployed to Kankia and Dutsin-Ma Local Government Areas of the State, with 50 officers assigned to each. Dutsin-Ma, which borders Safana, Danmusa, and Matazu, remains one of the epicentres of banditry in the state.

‘The headlines say the Katsina State Government is negotiating with bandits, but that is far from reality. I have publicly maintained that the government will not negotiate with bandits but will always welcome peace,’ Governor Radda declared.

He explained that the ‘Katsina Model’ is a fully community-driven approach, allowing members of affected communities to initiate and negotiate peace pacts with repentant bandits who agree to lay down their arms.

‘The role of the state government is to encourage and support the peace process while maintaining law and order in these communities. Our focus is to ensure that communities that enjoy peace also benefit socio-economically, giving our people a dignified existence,’ he said.

Radda further highlighted the success of the community peace accord initiative, noting that ‘Jibia has enjoyed eight months without a major attack, while Batsari has recorded seven months of uninterrupted peace. Other local government areas, Danmusa, Safana, Faskari, and Sabuwa, have also witnessed relative calm since adopting the initiative’. He reaffirmed that kinetic measures by federal security agencies remain vital to Katsina’s overall security architecture.

‘This ceremony is proof that the state government will not relent in fighting insecurity and banditry wherever they exist. Those who wish to return to crime will face the full force of the law,’ he warned.

He commended the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Police for their strong collaboration with the state government, noting that synergy with federal agencies has improved intelligence sharing, response times, and coordinated operations.

‘You are entrusted not only with maintaining security but also with representing the shared goals of a peaceful and prosperous Katsina State. It is essential to uphold integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights at all times,’ he charged the new officers.

The Community Watch Corps was launched over two years ago as part of the administration’s broader strategy to combat insecurity through community participation. Earlier in his remarks, Nasir Mu’azu, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said, ‘No doubt, Governor Radda saw, he analysed, and he conquered using a homegrown initiative of community approach where young abled men from their various communities were selected, screened, trained, and deployed to serve as the first line of defense to their mothers, fathers, wives, daughters, sisters, brothers, and friends.’

The event marks the third phase of the C-Watch training after the first in October 2023 and the second in November 2024.

Also speaking, Major General Junaidu Bindawa (Rtd), Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, said the recruits underwent intensive training in minor tactics, weapon handling, communication, arrests, community policing, rules of engagement, and intelligence gathering, adding that, the goal was to make them disciplined, professional, and community-focused.

Lagos, Nigeria – [October 14, 2025] – Northbrix, the parent company of CyBrixTeam.ai, the world’s first Agentic Integrated Marketing Environment (IME), is proud to announce its role as Silver Sponsor of Moonshot by Techcabal 2025, taking place from Wednesday, October 15 to Thursday, October 16 at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

CyBrixTeam.ai, powered by Northbrix, with technology provided by MarketTeam.ai and developed in partnership with NVIDIA, will be officially launched on the opening day of the conference, marking a major milestone for the African technology and marketing landscape. Attendees will be the first to experience the platform’s capabilities in real time, as CybrixTeam.ai unveils how it is set to transform the future of marketing.

This year’s Moonshot edition, themed ‘Building Momentum’ underscores a defining moment for Africa’s technology ecosystem. As innovation across the continent accelerates, the conversation is shifting from early-stage progress to scalable, sustainable growth. Moonshot 2025 aims to spotlight the visionaries, products, and platforms driving this next phase of development.

The theme directly aligns with CyBrixTeam.ai’s mission to accelerate growth by empowering businesses through an all-in-one agentic marketing environment that delivers strategy, intelligence, creativity, and full campaign execution at AI speed.

Specifically, CyBrixTeam.ai delivers an autonomous, AI-managed platform that empowers businesses to unify every facet of their marketing from strategy and market intelligence to content creation, SEO, performance marketing, social and influencer engagement, creative execution, and analytics.

Powered by coordinated AI agents operating seamlessly at AI speed, CyBrix consolidates these once-fragmented functions into a single agentic environment, enabling businesses to simplify operations, accelerate execution, and lead their markets with precision.

Speaking on the launch of CyBrixTeam.ai and sponsorship of the event, Branka Mracajac, Founder and CEO of Northbrix, the parent company of CyBrixTeam.ai, said: ‘Launching CyBrix at Moonshot is a deliberate move because this event represents the future of African innovation. As we unveil the world’s first agentic marketing environment, there is no better stage to demonstrate how AI can shape the future of marketing, power a new era of speed, intelligence, and creativity for African brands. Our sponsorship reflects a deep commitment to supporting the ecosystem’s next chapter of growth and impact’.

Northbrix’s sponsorship of Moonshot 2025 underscores its mission to transform the business landscape in Africa by empowering organizations to move beyond fragmented systems toward a more robust platform that drives growth and profitability.

About CyBrixTeam.ai

CyBrixTeam.ai is the world’s first Agentic Integrated Marketing Environment (IME) – a one-in-all platform where data, strategy, creativity, and execution move as one. More than a platform, it’s an operating system for the future of marketing: helping organizations simplify complexity, accelerate execution, and dominate their markets.

Powered by NorthBrix | Technology by Marketeam.ai | Developed with NVIDIA.

An Abuja-based lawyer, Ibitade Bukola, along with her co-defendant Victor Giwa, facing charges of document forgery and impersonation of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa Kalu, has been granted bail for ?30 million by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo

During the bail hearing, counsel to the second defendant, Ogbu Aboje, urged the court to admit his client to bail pending trial. He argued that the defendant poses no flight risk and would be available to stand trial.

However, the prosecuting counsel, Erisco Asaph, opposed the application, citing Sections 37 and 115 of the Evidence Act. He argued that granting bail would not serve the interest of justice and urged the court to disregard the counter-affidavit filed by the defence.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled in favour of the bail application. The court granted the second defendant bail for ?30 million, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, residing within Abuja, and must present verifiable addresses and valid means of identification. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to deposit her international passport with the court.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court directed that the defendant remain in custody at the Suleja Correctional Facility.

The case was adjourned to October 30, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.

Recently, Kano State hosted a regional empowerment training for women farmers in the northwest part of Nigeria geared at unlocking their full participation in the development of the agriculture sector.

The one-day workshop with the theme ‘Shifting Mindsets Toward Entrepreneurship Across Agricultural Value Chains’ was organised by Micro Development Consulting Limited (MDCL), in partnership with major national institutions in the country.

‘Developing a step-by-step finance access guide (through MDCL and NABG) to help women navigate ACGSF and other funding opportunities, and follow-up mentoring and coaching sessions to support participants in implementing their action plans, were recommended.’

A total of 56 participants, including 28 women and 3 male agripreneurs drawn from the states in the region, attended the workshop series held at ‘Tribes by Meena’, in Kano metropolis.

The empowerment programme was designed to achieve three core objectives, namely, to build women’s leadership, business, and entrepreneurship capacities, as well as to facilitate linkages to financial institutions, input providers, and produce markets, and to support the development of sustainable women-led business networks and market hubs.

It was facilitated by resource persons drawn from major public institutions and organisations, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, Nigerian Agribusiness Group, and

As well as the participation of private business concerns, like the Nigerian Agribusiness Group, NIRSAL Plc, Jaiz Bank Plc, Dala Microfinance Bank, and some notable women agribusiness entrepreneurs.

During the event, agribusiness stakeholders deliberated on opportunities and challenges in strengthening women’s participation in the agricultural value chain and, at the end, were impacted with an entrepreneurial mindset, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and practical strategies for empowerment in the agricultural value chain.

What motivated the programme:

Declaring the activity open, Furera Isma Jumare, founder of MDCL, said the event was organised and designed to empower the participants, who are drawn from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina, to amplify their voices for inclusion in the Nigerian agriculture space.

She stated that the programme was also designed to enable the participants to appreciate the huge opportunities which agriculture offers to them along the value chains, noting that a lot of women seem not to understand the opportunities opened to them in the sector.

‘We want the women to know that in each of the agriculture value chains there are opportunities, from inputs to production, to processing, to distribution, to marketing, and some other activities, like aggregation, logistics, and even up to export.

‘So, we did this so that the women in the agribusiness can scale and move up to a level so that they can make money in their business. In this workshop, we brought together a total of 46 women from the three targeted states.

‘We called the programme Workshop number one, so this is the first workshop on the agricultural value chain. For years, our group has been holding different workshops, but we re-strategised as a business group to focus now on agriculture, especially now, when the Federal Government is placing emphasis on food self-sufficiency.

‘We have a plan to make this workshop a quarterly event; we will be moving from the level of appreciation of the importance of agriculture to scaling it to how to level opportunities in the value chain,’ Furera explained. Resource persons/facilitators:

Furera Isma Jumare – CEO, MDCL; Dr Aminu A. Fagge – CDA – BUK; Maimuna Kida – Bank of Agriculture (BOA); Samira Sani – Bank of Industry (BOI); Bashir Garba – Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Jafar Muhammad – Central Bank of Nigeria; Sadiya Bashir Karaye – Dala Microfinance Bank.

Others are Muhammad Ahmed (Jaiz Bank Plc), Faiza Kabir Adamu (NIRSAL Plc), Jafar Umar (Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG)), Amina P. Abubakar (agribusiness entrepreneur), Habiba Umaru Sule-Dalhatu (agribusiness entrepreneur), and Hajara Usman Nagado (agribusiness entrepreneur).

Summary of key presentation:

Aminu Fagge delivered the key lecture, which focused on how women can develop an entrepreneurial mindset in agriculture, which emphasised the urgent need to shift from subsistence farming, which is primarily for survival, to agribusinesses, showing how small ventures can be scaled through innovation and good resource management.

He introduced the principles of agripreneurship, which include innovation, risk-taking and efficient use of resources, and explained how these principles could be applied across the agricultural value chain from production to processing, packaging and marketing.

He acknowledged the challenges women face, including limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, climate change and market inefficiencies, but argued that these should be seen as opportunities for women to innovate and create solutions.

According to him, when women adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, the benefits extend beyond individual gain to include rural development, job creation, higher household incomes and environmental sustainability. He encouraged participants to embrace networks, join cooperatives and leverage technology as strategies for building competitive and sustainable agribusiness.

Fagge concluded his presentation and reaffirmed that women are not just contributors but key drivers of agricultural transformation. By adopting entrepreneurial thinking, exploring organic farming, and adding value to their products, women could secure sustainable livelihoods and build resilient agribusinesses. MDCL remains committed to supporting this transformation.

Presentations by Financial Institutions:

Central Bank of Nigeria

Bashir Garba, representing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), introduced participants to the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF). He explained that the fund was established to increase lending to farmers by banks. According to him, through this scheme, both individuals and cooperatives could access loans of up to fifty million naira, depending on the activity and availability of collateral. He clarified that civil servants were also eligible, with their salaries serving as collateral.

Garba highlighted that CBN was actively reaching local farmers by conducting sensitisation programmes in collaboration with commercial banks and other organisations while encouraging participants to engage directly with banks to explore available opportunities and emphasised that institutions like MDCL could support participants in applying to secure financial support. He concluded by urging women to embrace agriculture and access financial opportunities provided by the CBN to scale their agribusiness ventures. Bank Of Agriculture (BOA)

Maimuna Kida, representing the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), explained that the institution was established by law as Nigeria’s foremost agricultural development finance institution. She highlighted that women had always been active participants across the agricultural value chain in Nigeria and that BOA’s mandate is to promote and finance agricultural enterprises, with a strong emphasis on enhancing women’s participation in agribusiness.

She explained that the bank provides financial support to a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals and cooperatives, between the ages of 18 and 65. While small-scale farmers form a large part of their clientele, the BOA also supports medium and larger agricultural enterprises. To access loans, applicants are required to present guarantors and deposit ten percent (10%) of the loan amount.

Bank Of Industry (BOI)

Samira Sani from the Bank of Industry (BOI) explained that the institution provides financial support to both established businesses and start-ups across different sectors, including agribusiness. She emphasised that for an applicant to access BOI facilities, the business must be formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

She highlighted that BOI has different funding mechanisms designed to support entrepreneurs at various stages. Among these is the National Fund for SMEs, which she noted is easier to access and tailored to the needs of small-scale businesses. To improve accessibility, BOI allows two applicants applying together to serve as each other’s guarantor, which reduces the barrier of securing external guarantors.

On loan terms, she stated that the interest rate is 9%, with repayment periods ranging from three months to three years, depending on the nature and size of the loan. Muhammad Ahmed from Jaiz Bank Plc explained that applicants must first maintain an account with the bank to qualify for financing. He emphasised that the bank ensures applicants are genuinely engaged in business activities before granting any loan facility.

He noted that Jaiz Bank finances a wide range of businesses and provides different financing mechanisms tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs. Among these is Murabaha. This product supports the purchase of machinery, equipment, or input; and Hijara: This product is designed to support business expansion and innovation.

He assured participants that Jaiz Bank Plc. remained committed to supporting women in agribusiness through ethical and inclusive financial products that promote growth and sustainability.

Dala Microfinance Bank

Sadiya Bashir Karaye, the MFB’s MD, explained her organisation’s flexible and easy-to-access loan schemes, designed to meet the needs of women in agribusiness. She noted that the loans required minimal collateral, making them more attainable for small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs.

She also explained the adashi (contribution scheme) that enables women to pool resources together to support one another’s agribusiness and livelihood needs and emphasised the vital role of microfinance institutions in breaking down barriers that prevent women from entering and sustaining agribusiness ventures.

NIRSAL Plc:

Faiza Kabir Adamu of NIRSAL Plc. first clarified that NIRSAL Plc. was distinct from NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (MFB), explaining that NIRSAL MFB provides a minimum of N50,000 in loans. NIRSAL Plc.

She noted that NIRSAL guarantees large-scale loans of up to N500 million, all targeted within the agricultural value chain. She highlighted NIRSAL’s role in providing credit risk guarantees that de-risk agricultural lending, thereby encouraging commercial banks and other financial institutions to lend to agribusinesses.

She also reiterated that NIRSAL Plc. does not directly give out loans or physical resources but instead provides risk guarantees and insurance products that protect both farmers and lenders.

Her presentation underscored that women agripreneurs stand to benefit significantly from NIRSAL’s intervention, as these mechanisms reduce barriers to accessing finance, lower risks, and promote confidence in scaling agribusiness ventures.

Presentation on entrepreneurship and mentoring:

Jafar Umar of the NABG delivered a comprehensive presentation on the dynamics of agribusiness and the critical role women could play within its ecosystem. He began by emphasising that, like any other business, agribusiness must be fundamentally profit-driven. When asked, participants described agribusiness using terms such as ‘sustainability’ and ‘flexibility’. He stated that productivity is the ultimate aim of every business and should remain central to its strategies.

A key highlight of his presentation was his encouraging participants to join experienced entrepreneurs and established networks, rather than trying to navigate challenges alone. He explained that leveraging the knowledge, mentorship, and structure of those already successful in agribusiness would make their own journey easier, faster, and more sustainable.

Importantly, he reminded participants that membership in such platforms often requires a financial commitment, urging them to ‘shine their eyes’ and carefully evaluate the organisation they join. He concluded by announcing that NABG and MDCL will collaborate to create easier pathways for women in agribusiness, helping them to build confidence, scale sustainably, and access the support needed to grow their ventures.

Entrepreneurship, mentoring, and storytelling session:

The mentoring session was one of the most engaging parts of the workshop, allowing participants to hear directly from experienced entrepreneurs about their journeys, lessons learnt, and the importance of resilience, innovation, and collaboration in agribusiness.

Habiba Umaru Sule-Dalhatu and Hajara Usman Nagado shared their journeys to becoming entrepreneurs. Both lawyers embarked on establishing Pelican Oils Limited (a palm oil processing company) and NAGAB Farms Limited (producers of Kuli Krakers), respectively. They both took their time to respond to questions asked by the participants, some of whom also narrated their journeys into agriculture and the challenges they were facing.

Amina Pindar Abubakar did a presentation on her ‘backyard farming’, showing her different species of edible vegetables, tubers and fruit. She explained that in her residence, she had over 800 sacks in which she had planted crops.

Participants’ engagement:

Participants were highly engaged throughout the workshop, as they asked relevant questions, shared experiences, and demonstrated enthusiasm to apply what they learnt.

Key areas of engagement included

Debating seedless vs. seed plants and GMO vs. organic seeds/plants. Seeking clarity on accessing ACGSF funds, particularly for civil servants and cooperatives. Asking how CBN was sensitising local farmers and exploring how MDCL and NABG could partner with the financial institutions present to ease access to finance. Networking actively, exchanging contacts, and discussing possible collaborations. Sharing personal stories made the sessions interactive and inspiring.

Outcome and achievements of the workshop:

The workshop produced tangible outcomes, including: Networking and Partnerships: Participants connected with each other and facilitators, establishing potential collaborations. Action Plans: Three groups developed and submitted practical agribusiness challenges being faced and opportunities available to pursue beyond the workshop. Mindset Shift: Participants embraced the shift from subsistence farming to agribusiness thinking. Commitment to Growth: Women expressed determination to strengthen their ventures and apply their new knowledge, and the participants agreed that they should form the 1st cohort of a series of workshops that would guide them as they pursue various activities along different agricultural value chains.

Recommendation and next steps:

Developing a step-by-step finance access guide (through MDCL and NABG) to help women navigate ACGSF and other funding opportunities, and follow-up mentoring and coaching sessions to support participants in implementing their action plans, were recommended.

Also, the need to explore peer learning platforms (e.g., WhatsApp groups, cooperatives) for participants to share progress and opportunities and the need to engage more financial institutions and value-chain actors to expand women’s access to markets and resources were emphasised, as well as the need to convene business clinics in collaboration with CBN, financial institutions and relevant bodies such as CAC, NAFDAC, SMEDAN and FIRS.

The need to leverage social media would ensure participants follow MDCL’s official handles for updates, and there is a need for real-time social media updates during events to increase visibility and attract potential collaborators and partners, in addition to creating an instant WhatsApp group during each workshop to foster immediate networking, ensure participants stay connected, and facilitate future communication.

Conclusion:

Participants demonstrated strong interest in agribusiness financing, raising critical questions on access to credit, seed technology, and the role of GMO vs. organic seeds. The financial institution provided insights into loan schemes, eligibility requirements, and the importance of cooperatives, collateral, and financial literacy.

Resource persons emphasised that agribusiness must remain profit-driven, encouraging women to leverage networks, mentorship, and collaboration. Storytelling by women agripreneurs inspired participants to embrace innovation, resilience, proper packaging, and peer-to-peer support.

The workshop ended with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring women have improved access to finance, markets, and knowledge resources. It was concluded that with innovation, networking, and resilience, women can thrive in Nigeria’s agribusiness.

Women farmers in the northern part of Nigeria have been challenged to position themselves as a valuable tool in the ongoing quest for national food security through exploring the vast agricultural potential available in the region. opportunity

In order to do this, it has been suggested that they can become vital players in Nigerian agricultural development along the value chain by shifting away from practising agriculture as a subsistence activity to embracing it as a business.

This is the major takeaway from a one-day workshop with the theme ‘Ready to Take Your Agribusiness to the Next Level’, organised by Micro Development Consulting Limited (MDCL), a women’s development support company.

Zainab Manzzo, founder of Zahir Farm, based in Kano State, who was one of the participants in the programme, while speaking on the benefits of the event, said that empowerment training has opened her eyes to how she can harness the opportunities that are available in the agriculture sector in Nigeria.

Also, Tina Musa, who is a commodity aggregator, stated that she will be leveraging the empowerment gained to explore available windows of opportunities in the exportation of processed agro-products.

Zenith Bank Plc has marked a significant milestone with a Closing Gong Ceremony at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), celebrating the successful conclusion of its public offer and the achievement of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalisation target.

The bank’s recently concluded public offer, which was heavily oversubscribed, contributed N350.46 billion to its total capital raise, bringing its capital base to N614.65 billion.

This positions Zenith Bank comfortably above the N500 billion regulatory threshold for banks with international authorisation and underscores the strong confidence investors continue to place in the institution’s leadership, performance, and growth strategy.

Speaking at the ceremony, Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), commended the success of the offer, describing it as a reflection of the market’s strength and integrity. ‘This capital raise demonstrates the robust capacity of our markets. It’s a clear signal that with sound fundamentals and transparency, Nigeria can efficiently mobilise capital for growth,’ he said.

Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, described the accomplishment as both a regulatory milestone and a springboard for sustainable growth. She also acknowledged the role of NGX Invest as a vital enabler in achieving the Bank’s goals.

‘Reaching a capital base exceeding N600 billion is not just a compliance achievement; it’s a foundation for the future. Through platforms like NGX Invest, which expanded access and simplified participation, we were able to reach a broader pool of investors. This underscores how innovation within our market ecosystem can drive inclusivity and accelerate growth,’ she stated.

Reflecting on the achievement, Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, expressed gratitude to the investing public for their trust and support. ‘This successful capital raise, which secures our regulatory standing, is a vote of confidence in our legacy and our future growth trajectory,’ he said.

Also speaking, Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), described the milestone as ‘a testament to strong leadership and a win for our capital markets,’ adding that ‘Zenith Bank’s achievement solidifies its position as a pillar of the financial sector and underscores the market’s faith in its future.’

In his remarks, Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, highlighted the role of innovation in driving the success of the offer. ‘The oversubscription of Zenith Bank’s offer is a direct result of innovation and collaboration. Our NGX Invest platform was instrumental in broadening access, onboarding a new generation of investors, and deepening market participation,’ he stated.

The Closing Gong Ceremony symbolised the beginning of a new chapter for Zenith Bank, one defined by strengthened capacity, innovation, and renewed investor confidence. It also underscored the productive collaboration between the bank, regulators, and the exchange group in fostering a resilient and dynamic capital market in Nigeria