Category: Business Day

Nigeria’s U20 male team, the Flying Eagles, defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 in a thrilling Group F encounter in Talca on Friday morning to earn their first three points and brighten their chances of advancing to the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.

Midfielder Nasiru Salihu opened Nigeria’s account in the 10th minute, but the Asians hit back in the 21st through Amar Alyuhaybi.

Undeterred, the seven-time African champions regained the lead as Amos Ochoche struck seven minutes before the break, sending Nigeria into halftime 2-1 ahead.

Saudi Arabia fought back again, equalising six minutes into the second half through Talal Haji.

The Flying Eagles, however, had the final say. With four minutes of added time, captain Daniel Bameyi coolly converted from the penalty spot to seal a dramatic victory for Nigeria.

The win means the two-time U20 World Cup finalists will secure a place in the Round of 16 if they avoid defeat against Colombia in their final group game on Monday.

Maruf Tunji Alausa, minister of education has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to aligning education with labour market realities.

He noted this during a side event in New York themed: ‘Skills-to-Jobs: Strengthening Nigeria’s workforce systems for economic growth’ which was geared towards reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership in global workforce and education transformation.

‘Our vision is to ensure that every Nigerian learner is not only acquiring knowledge but also future-ready skills that unlock decent work opportunities. By strengthening the connection between classrooms and careers, we are laying the foundation for inclusive growth and national prosperity,’ Alausa said.

The side event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Tech4Dev, Semicolon Africa, and Avaara Partners, the high-level gathering convened policymakers, private sector leaders, development partners, and innovators to showcase Nigeria’s bold steps in linking education, skills, and employment for sustainable growth.

65% of Nigerian employers cite skills gap as a barrier to organisational transformation

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, minister of State for Labour and Employment, also emphasised the government’s determination to deliver systemic workforce reform.

‘The future of work demands bold action. Our ministry, is investing in systems that prepare young Nigerians for the jobs of tomorrow, building bridges between skills providers, employers, and industries to ensure that no talent is left behind,’ she stated.

The first high-level panel explored policy reforms, digital infrastructure, and opportunities in the creative and green economy.

The key contributors included Rimamskeb Nuhu, special assistant to the vice president on Strategy and Policy, Moriam Ajaga, special adviser to the president on Art and Culture, Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, executive chairman, Presidential CNG Initiative, Olumbe Akinkugbe, executive director, Galaxy Backbone and Sam Immanuel, CEO, Semicolon Africa.

A second panel examined skill-to-job linkages with insights from Rosy Fynn, country director, Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Victoria Strokov, program manager, Partnership for Economic Inclusion at HSPGE), Oladiwura Oladepo, executive director, Tech4Dev and Sanyade Okoli, special adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy. Okoli stressed that reforms must translate into livelihoods, noting,

‘Finance must show up on payslips, not just in statistics. That is why we are linking innovation, credit, and social protection directly to employment outcomes so that every investment fuels opportunities for young Nigerians.

The event featured an interactive dialogue featuring youth voices, development partners, and private sector leaders. Discussions reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to closing the training-to-employment gap, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and advancing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

By aligning education, skills development, and labour policies, Nigeria is not only positioning its youth for the jobs of tomorrow but also cementing its influence in shaping the global future of work.

As fuel prices fluctuate, the foreign exchange market remains volatile, and government policies shift with little notice, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria remain uncertain of their next move.

Despite accounting for 96 percent of all businesses, contributing 48 percent to national GDP, and providing 84 percent of employment, SMEs face a complex and demanding operating environment.

Long-term survival remains a significant challenge, with only 5 to 20 percent making it past the five-year mark, according to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN). These pressures continue to constrain the growth potential of one of the country’s most vital economic segments.

Sopirinye Millar-Jaja, management systems analyst at Phillips Consulting Limited, said, ‘This is where business continuity becomes essential. It’s more than just disaster recovery; it’s a proactive approach to ensure critical operations continue, even in the face of unexpected disruptions.’

‘Whether it’s a power outage, cash crunch, or policy change, continuity planning helps businesses bounce back quickly with minimal downtime. Simply put, it’s about ensuring the company keeps going, no matter what,’ she said.

Many Nigerian SMEs operate without safety nets, emergency funds, or backup systems. The impact of the recent naira redesign, fuel shortages, and sudden regulatory shifts has demonstrated just how vulnerable small businesses are.

To build resilience in this unpredictable environment, SMEs must take small but deliberate steps. Continuity planning is about knowing your business well enough to protect what matters most. Here are six lessons that offer a practical path forward for SMEs seeking to prepare, adapt, and stay operational amid uncertainty:

Understand and map your critical operations: The first step is awareness. SMEs must identify the parts of their business they can’t afford to lose. This Business Impact Analysis (BIA) doesn’t have to be complex; it’s listing key products, services, people, and processes, and asking: If this stopped today, how long could I stay afloat? For instance, a logistics business should have a fuel backup plan or alternative transport options mapped out to maintain delivery timelines during scarcity.

Don’t rely on just one source: In a volatile economy, diversification is a survival tactic. Over-dependence on a single supplier, payment method, product, or major client is a fast track to collapse. SMEs should source from more than one vendor, offer multiple payment options (bank transfer, POS, USSD, QR codes), explore alternative sales channels like WhatsApp storefronts, and look into digital exports if their offerings have diaspora appeal. Business continuity means having options and flexibility.

Embrace technology for flexibility: Simple digital tools can make a significant difference during disruptions. Technology ensures businesses stay connected, remain organised, and can continue service delivery even when things are unplanned. SMEs can leverage WhatsApp Business for orders, Google Drive for business records, and diverse digital payment methods like USSD and POS (now used by 45 percent of Nigerian adults for digital transactions) to keep operations fluid. Medium-sized businesses can benefit from cloud tools like Microsoft 365 or basic accounting platforms for remote financial tracking.

Build a financial buffer, even if it’s modest: Since disruptions come with immediate costs (repairs, stock replacement, salary coverage), a small financial cushion can be the difference between shutting down and staying open. SMEs should set aside a portion of profits monthly, cut back on non-essential spending, and explore cooperative or micro-savings platforms. Being financially equipped is essential for handling unexpected challenges.

Train your people and build leadership depth: A plan is useless without people who can execute it. Operations should not pause just because the founder is unavailable. SMEs must cross-train staff, enabling them to step into each other’s roles. This includes creating a basic crisis communication plan (who notifies customers/partners), sharing access to key tools with trusted team members, and fostering a culture of responsibility. Prepared systems are important, but so are prepared people.

Document and communicate your continuity plan: A disruption often escalates because teams are unsure what to do. The plan doesn’t need to be technical; it can be a simple checklist outlining steps for common disruptions like payment platform failures, staff absence, or inflation-driven price hikes. What matters is clarity. Who to contact first? What are the backup options? Where are essential documents stored? The plan must be shared, understood, and easy to activate by staff, partners, and vendors to be effective.

After 65 years of independence, Nigeria’s over-dependence on imports has stalled its transformation from an agrarian economy to an industrial one.

After gaining independence in 1960, the Nigerian government implemented the Import Substitution Policy to curb import dependency, create jobs, and preserve foreign exchange, marking a strategic shift towards industrialisation.

This was seen as a diametrically superb policy that was targeted at transforming the country from an agrarian to an industrial economy.

However, the policy failed because early policy-makers believed that protectionism was a cure-all for the country’s fledgling economy.

Since then, past governments have adopted various policies aimed at reducing over-dependence on imports, creating a high number of local jobs and saving foreign exchange. Some of the policies are the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree, Structural Adjustment Policy, Small and Medium Industries Equity Investment Scheme, National Industrial Revolution Plan, National Automotive Policy and the Export Expansion Grant.

But lack of implementation and continuity in the policies has slowed the progress of the country’s industrial revolution.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), growth in the manufacturing sector grew to 1.6 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 1.28 percent in the same period in 2024.

Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, director-general of the Raw Materials, Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said that Nigeria must reduce its dependence on imported raw materials by at least 60 percent within the next five years if it is to become an industrial nation.

‘Over 70 per cent of manufacturing inputs used in our economy are imported. These data points expose a structural weakness,’ Ike-Muonso said in August at MAN’s equipment expo in Lagos.

‘We export our raw materials in their crude form, import in refined quality, and surrender jobs and value offshore before we have even begun,’ he said.

He argued that the country has the potential to industrialise rapidly, with over 120 commercially viable solid minerals, vast agricultural resources, and a large youthful population.

But Ike-Muonso reiterated that what is missing is ‘strategic coordination, bold implementation, and technology-backed commitment.’

While industrialisation has been a cornerstone of transformation in developed nations, Nigeria still lack the bustling facilities and vibrant industrial landscapes that characterise strong economies, despite its significant manufacturing capability and promising trajectories.

The availability of adequate infrastructure is also a major determinant of the success of every country’s industrial sector; however, Nigeria does not have adequate infrastructure to grow businesses, especially developed transport systems such as roads and railways connected to the nation’s seaports.

From Agbara industrial cluster in Ogun to Apapa in Lagos, roads are bad or inaccessible. Access roads to Apapa and Tin Can ports – Nigeria’s two main ports have continued to be nightmares for manufacturers and exporters. It is impossible to talk about infrastructure without discussing power. Energy is a key element of the production process. Nigeria’s inability to supply and distribute sufficient electricity has left businesses at the mercy of generators powered by diesel and petrol, whose prices have surged in recent months.

This raises the production costs for manufacturers significantly and forecloses their chances of competing with international peers.

According to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), manufacturers spend 40 percent of their total production cost on generating energy for their businesses.

Nigerian manufacturers suffered from a long-running shortage of foreign exchange and a sharp devaluation in 2024, which made doing business in the country complicated.

In 2024, the naira lost 40.9 percent of its value against the dollar in the official market despite notable growth in external reserves within the period, according to BusinessDay analysis.

The floating of the naira increased the official exchange rate from N463.38/$ on June 9 in 2023, to N1,500/$ as of October 3 in 2025.

The high cost of dollars and the implementation of a 7.5 percent value added tax on diesel imports have pushed its pump price to as high as N1,200 per litre.

The number of registered manufacturing firms with the MAN dropped from 4,850 in the early 1980s to 2,000 in 2010. From 2017-2024, more than 50 manufacturing companies have shut down.

Some of them are Surest Foam Limited, Mufex, Framan Industries, MZM Continental, Nipol Industries, Moak Industries, Stone Industries, Procter and Gamble, and GlaxoSmithKline, among others.

Regulation is a major issue hurting the sector. In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, agencies of the government work at cross-purposes.

For instance, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) does not accept tests done by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and vice versa. Worse still, their responsibilities overlap. Similarly, local or state governments do not accept agreements by the Federal Government, particularly when it has to do with money or taxes.

Nigeria is cash-strapped due to low oil prices and high debt servicing. This is hurting the country’s capacity to fund projects and critical sectors.

However, the pool of funds from the CBN and development finance institutions is stashed in banks, which are sometimes unwilling to lend to businesses due to what they call the ‘high-risk level’ of lending to businesses in Nigeria.

Consequently, several manufacturers have complained that they cannot access most funds advertised by the government.

While some manufacturers have accessed funding from the CBN, Bank of Industry and others, however, the funds are not easily accessible by all players.

Sarah Mullally has been named the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in its nearly 1,500-year history.

Her appointment, confirmed on Friday by King Charles III after a formal selection process, marks a watershed moment for the Anglican Communion, which counts around 85 million members worldwide. Mullally, 63, will serve as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding Justin Welby, who stepped down earlier this year following a damning abuse scandal.

‘The responsibility is huge, but I feel peace and trust in God to carry me,’ Mullally, a former nurse and later Bishop of London, said in her first public statement after the announcement. Prime minister Keir Starmer welcomed her appointment, describing the Church of England as ‘part of the fabric of our communities’ and expressing confidence that Mullally would play ‘a key role in our national life.’

Mullally’s elevation comes at a turbulent time for the Church. Her predecessor, Welby, resigned after an independent inquiry found that senior church figures had covered up decades-old abuse by John Smyth, a barrister who ran evangelical summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s. At least 130 boys and young men were said to have suffered at Smyth’s hands. He died in South Africa in 2018 while under investigation, never facing criminal charges.

The scandal has fuelled calls for deep reform within the Church of England, whose supreme governor is the British monarch. Once the spiritual backbone of national life, the Church now counts around 20 million baptised members but fewer than one million regular worshippers. Mullally’s appointment also signals the Church’s evolving stance on women in leadership. The Church of England began consecrating women bishops in 2014, following decades of debate, although other Anglican provinces, such as the United States, had taken this step decades earlier. Mullally herself became the first female Bishop of London in 2018, the third-highest post in the English hierarchy. Mullally is a former cancer nurse who worked as England’s Chief Nursing Officer in the early 2000s, while also being ordained as a priest in 2002. She became one of the first women to be consecrated as a bishop in the Church of England in 2015.

‘There are great commonalities between nursing and being a priest. It’s all about people, and sitting with people during the most difficult times in their lives,’ she once told a magazine.

She has advocated for creating an open and transparent culture in churches which allows for difference and disagreement, and has spoken on issues including the cost-of-living crisis, healthcare, and social justice.

Today, more than 40 of England’s 108 bishops are women, with women making up a similar proportion among priests. The office of the Archbishop of Canterbury is one of Britain’s most historic. The first incumbent, Augustine of Canterbury, was appointed in the late sixth century. The role became central to national life after King Henry VIII established the Church of England in the 1530s, thereby breaking with the Roman Catholic Church.

Mullally’s selection was the outcome of a lengthy process led by a committee under a former head of MI5, reflecting the position’s political as well as spiritual weight. Her leadership will stretch far beyond England, with the Archbishop of Canterbury regarded as the symbolic head of global Anglicanism.

The challenge before her is twofold: to restore trust in an institution shaken by scandal and to offer direction in a society where faith holds a diminished but still powerful role.

The National Leadership Conference (NLC) is proud to announce a high-impact strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria at the just concluded National Leadership Conference 2025. This collaboration defines a shared commitment to developing leadership capital, promoting inclusive economic growth, and driving sustainable development across the nation.

The partnership with the UNDP, a leading global development organization, brings a focus on poverty eradication, reducing inequalities, and building resilience to the NLC platform, complementing the recently announced alliance with the European Union. By joining forces, the NLC and the UNDP created a formidable alliance to accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through transformative leadership.

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in over 170 countries, the UNDP helps nations to build integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet. In Nigeria, the UNDP is a trusted partner for development, working across governance, inclusive growth, and climate resilience to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ms. Elsie Attafuah Delivers Key Insights

The Conference was honored to host the graced presence of Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Nigeria. Ms. Attafuah’s participation signifies the high-level commitment of the UNDP to this partnership and the importance of the conference’s theme in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Ms. Attafuah, a visionary leader with over two decades of global experience in programme development, strategic management, and partnerships brokering, delivered a compelling keynote address. Her extensive background spans sectors including climate change, green growth, good governance, youth, and gender empowerment. Her expertise in international financing mechanisms and her strategic approach to organizational development make her a powerful voice on how to transition development ideas into impactful policy and action.

UNDP’s Contribution to Leadership and the Nigerian Ecosystem

The UNDP’s engagement with the NLC is intrinsically linked to its core mandate of supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve its national development priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organisation’s contribution is centered on building a new generation of leaders who are equipped to address complex, interconnected development challenges.

The UNDP drives thought leadership through initiatives such as the biennial Human Development Report and its focus on structural transformation, which advocates for building a culture of innovation, catalysing the green economy, and strengthening good governance. Through programmes like the Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP), the UNDP supports:

Youth Empowerment and Innovation: By investing in innovation hubs and skills development, the UNDP is creating a national pipeline of talent and empowering young Nigerians to become entrepreneurs and problem-solvers, thereby transforming the innovation ecosystem.

Good Governance and Institutional Capacity: The UNDP supports efforts to build legitimate institutions, promote transparency, and enhance leadership skills across public and private sectors to ensure development is inclusive and effective.

Economic Diversification and Green Growth: The organisation is instrumental in supporting the transition to a sustainable, diversified economy, leveraging clean energy and other green solutions as a catalyst for job creation and resilience.

In line with the conference’s focus on leadership capital, Ms. Attafuah spoke on the UNDP’s global and local experience – on how bold, visionary, and service-oriented leadership is essential for structural transformation in Nigeria. Her address highlighted the need for leaders who can promote a culture of cooperation, bridge societal divides, and champion human-centered development, making her insights indispensable for all conference delegates.

This partnership with the UNDP solidifies the National Leadership Conference 2025 as the premier platform for promoting transformative leadership and charting a course for a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Nigeria.

As food inflation continues to bite and nutrition gaps widen, workplace wellness may hold the key to strengthening food security and productivity in Nigeria.

For decades, compensation in Nigeria’s corporate sector has been measured almost entirely by salary. However, with rising food prices, paychecks alone are no longer enough to guarantee that workers can afford healthy diets.

Food experts warn that this has direct consequences for employee health, absenteeism, and long-term productivity.

Globally, corporate wellness initiatives – such as workplace meal plans, nutrition workshops, and preventive health care – are increasingly being adopted as strategic investments in food security and employee well-being.

But in Nigeria, these practices remain at an early stage, leaving many workers struggling with stress, burnout, and limited access to affordable, nutritious meals.

Recent initiatives are beginning to address this gap. To make wellness a daily workplace reality for Nigerian companies and employees, Country Life Corporate Wellness is bridging this nutrition gap through flexible and innovative packages that help companies invest in the health of staff. ‘Our mission is simple,’ says Samuel Ajani, founder of Country Life, and a passionate health enthusiast. ‘We want to bring wholesome wellness into the workplace because preventive care is better than curative care. Wellness shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be part of everyday corporate life.’ According to him, such interventions could also ease pressure on household food security. With more than 70 percent of workers spending a huge chunk of their salaries on food, providing balanced meals at the workplace could reduce dependence on expensive, less nutritious street food.

‘A workforce that feels energised and cared for is the foundation of any thriving business. In Nigeria, employees spend more time at work than at home, while many remote workers lead sedentary lifestyles that harm long-term health. This makes workplace wellness interventions not just relevant, but urgent,’ Ajani noted.

For him, adopting corporate wellness will cause employees to increasingly choose employers that invest in their well-being, and healthy employees are more focused and productive.

Some of the packages provided include fresh seasonal fruits and nutritious alternatives delivered directly to the office, balanced, energising meals and wellness bundles that support focus and productivity, as well as expert-led sessions inspiring healthier lifestyle choices.

In today’s competitive landscape, corporate wellness is no longer a perk; it is a strategic business decision that strengthens culture and drives long-term growth.

Ajani said that as corporate jobs continue to evolve, the definition of compensation must expand. Salary is important, but salary alone is no longer enough.

‘Employees want to feel valued not only for their output but also as individuals with physical, nutritional, and mental health needs,’ he said

Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, better known as Jandor, says President Bola Tinubu will face no serious challenge in the 2027 presidential election, while also confirming that he will once again contest the governorship of Lagos State.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the former Lagos PDP governorship candidate, who recently returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Tinubu’s political influence had grown stronger since 2023, making another upset unlikely.

‘In 2023, Jandor and his Lagos for Lagos movement were outside, but now we are back inside. So, it won’t be the same thing you witnessed in 2023,’ he said. According to him, the president’s hold on politics has gone beyond Lagos. ‘2027, not only in Lagos but in the entire country, is going to be a walkover for the man whose courage has given us a lot in this country today,’ Jandor added.

Jandor had left the APC in 2022 to run under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos. He came third in the March 2023 governorship election behind incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC and Labour Party’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. But in March this year, he made a surprise return to the ruling APC, saying the party was better positioned to win elections regardless of the candidate. His defection ended months of speculation about his next political move after his defeat in 2023.

Now firmly back in the APC fold, Jandor has wasted no time in declaring his interest in contesting the 2027 Lagos governorship election. ‘What you heard yesterday is for us once again to express our can-do ability and give another shot to the same seat that we went for during the last electioneering process,’ he said. ‘There is no vacancy in Aso Rock till 2031. If not, maybe the next thing would have been me running for president. For now, the focus is on Lagos, and I have so declared my intention to run again.’

Jandor’s declaration is already setting the stage for what may become another heated Lagos governorship contest. His renewed loyalty to the APC also puts him in a complex position, competing for the ticket in a party dominated by the political machinery of President Tinubu. But Jandor insists he is not worried. Instead, he has openly welcomed the idea of competing against Tinubu’s son, Seyi, should the younger Tinubu enter the race for governor. ‘He is eminently qualified to run,’ Jandor said. ‘And if the party gives him the ticket, I will give him my full support.’ For political watchers, Jandor’s confidence about Tinubu’s re-election chances in 2027 is not just about loyalty but also strategy. By aligning himself closely with the president, he positions himself as a loyal APC member who can be trusted with the party’s ticket in Lagos. Tinubu, who lost Lagos to Peter Obi of the Labour Party in the presidential election last year, is widely expected to strengthen his political base ahead of 2027. Jandor seems certain that history will not repeat itself. ‘In 2023, the opposition had unusual strength. But now, things are different. The president has consolidated, and I believe it will be a landslide in 2027,’ Jandor declared.

Jandor’s first gubernatorial run was marked by high expectations. Backed by the ‘Lagos for Lagos’ movement, he promised to break the APC’s dominance in the state. But his inability to galvanise enough votes left him far behind Sanwo-Olu and Rhodes-Vivour. After the elections, analysts said his defection from APC to PDP may have weakened his grassroots ties, while the Labour Party’s rise in Lagos further squeezed his chances. Now, by returning to APC, Jandor is effectively betting on the ruling party’s structure to give him a second shot.

Even though the 2027 elections are still nearly two years away, the battle for the APC’s Lagos governorship ticket promises to be intense. Party insiders say Jandor’s chances will depend not just on his popularity but also on how much trust he can rebuild with Tinubu’s loyalists, who once viewed him as a defector. But Jandor appears prepared for the long haul. ‘We are keeping our eyes on the ball, doing the needful, and galvanising support for the party across the state,’ he said. Political analysts believe his willingness to back whoever emerges as the APC’s candidate could help him avoid being sidelined, even if he loses the ticket.

For Jandor, aligning with Tinubu and the APC’s political machinery could either pave the way for his ambition or keep him in the shadow of more powerful figures within the party. Still, he maintains that his focus is clear: ‘For Jandor, I am running in 2027, and I have so declared.’

With this, Lagos politics looks set for another round of drama-where loyalty, strategy, and the shadow of Tinubu will once again define who sits in the seat of power at Alausa.

Glovo, one of the leading tech platforms operating across Europe, Africa, and Central Asia, has reiterated its dedication to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria by providing training, digital tools, and access to opportunities designed to optimise business operations, enhance brand visibility, and boost online sales through its platform.

The company’s commitment was underscored at the latest edition of Glovo Academy in Abuja, an in-person learning and development initiative aimed at equipping local businesses with skills and tools to expand their operations and scale sustainably.

Reni Onafeko, Head of Growth at Glovo Nigeria, emphasised the company’s ongoing support for SMEs by offering advisory services and financial access. She revealed that since Glovo launched in Abuja in 2022, the platform has delivered over one million orders, creating more than N11 billion in value for its partners.

Onafeko further noted a 30% year-on-year increase in orders within Abuja and said Glovo now partners with over 1,000 local restaurants.

She stressed the importance of digital literacy, saying SMEs must embrace it ‘to enable their businesses to expand, formalise and scale sustainably.’

Speaking at a panel discussion, Ifeoma Williams, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Industry, described MSMEs as the ‘backbone of any economy,’ pointing out that ‘current data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveal that 40% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product is derived from these small businesses.’

While acknowledging the challenges SMEs face in accessing government loans, she attributed this to a ‘lack of proper structure and the right business plan.’ Williams assured that the federal government is actively working to develop policies that will foster a more supportive business environment.

Tijani Mustapha, founder of Ahmad’s Sharwarma, spoke on operational challenges confronting SMEs, stressing that business owners need resilience to navigate issues with human resources and quality control.

He stressed the importance of technology, stating, ‘Any business we do today must embrace technology. Through technology, we can gather customer feedback, keep the business in check, and improve.’

Kayode Meyanbe, Head of ICT at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), outlined government initiatives aimed at supporting SMEs.

He revealed that SMEDAN, in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission, is offering free registration to 250,000 businesses and urged SMEs to seize this chance to formalise their operations. Meyanbe added, ‘As an agency, we have partnered with banks to provide loans at an interest rate below 10% to support their businesses. Not only that, state governments have also been helping us with funds for these SMEs to access our loan facilities.’

He also mentioned that capacity-building training is being provided through Kaduna Business School and Lagos Business School to equip SMEs with essential skills.

Kolawole Adeniyi, head of commercial at Glovo Nigeria, revealed that since the company entered Africa in 2021, it has invested 206 million euros across the continent. He noted that 90% of Glovo’s business partners are SMEs and that the platform has generated N55 billion in direct economic value for these partners.

The event included presentations and training focused on operational excellence, marketing, customer complaint handling, and business and financial literacy, facilitated by the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan Atlantic University.

These efforts highlight Glovo’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable growth for SMEs within Nigeria’s digital economy.

Music has ceased to play in Nigeria, or so it seemed yesterday. The faces that were once brightened by the joy of independence have become dull.

Nigeria yesterday was as cold as iced fish and as quiet as a graveyard. Singers have hung their musical instruments as disappointment runs in their veins. A day that was supposed to be a joyous moment of freedom has suddenly become a day of lamentation. That was the situation yesterday. Who did this to us? How did we get here?

In many cities across Nigeria yesterday, there were conferences hosted by governments, corporate bodies, religious bodies and individuals.

Those gatherings featured nostalgic forays into what worked in yesteryears and what is not working now. The events featured speeches of regret about how Nigeria has not lived up to being a potentially great nation as envisioned by the colonial masters.

This has been the ritual. year after year. Chances are that by this time next year, such gatherings would reconvene. Those who presented papers this year would just dust up the files, change the year, and they would be good to go.less lamentation, you may say.

Yesterday was supposed to be a celebration day. It was supposed to be colourful with many activities to mark it. It was the 65th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

But it wore a sombre look by every standard of assessment when compared to what the day used to be shortly after Independence and in the 80s and 90s.

It is a significant date in the life of Nigeria as a country. After a hard fight and agitation for an independent sovereign nation, the colonial masters at the time saw the need to exit the power stool. They handed power to indigenous leaders.

At that time, what is now known as the dreams of the Founding Fathers were born. They dreamed of a nation where tribe and tongue may differ, but in ‘brotherhood we stand’. They dreamed of handing to ‘our children a banner without stain’. They dreamed of a nation ‘where no man is oppressed’.

But whether these have been realised as the country marked the 65th anniversary is open to debate.

Every citizen, irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion, bought into the dream, which accounted for the effusive expression of joy and gladness that greeted the day.

The colonial rule ended at midnight on September 30, 1960. Lagos, which was at the time the capital of the country, was electric with all sorts of celebrations.

A great gathering of people from all walks of life and guests from foreign lands poured in. All Nigerians were on the same page.

No bitter politics. No recrimination. Just celebration galore. Everyone waved the green, white, and green flag, and there were cultural displays representing various parts of the country and their rich cultures.

Schoolchildren staged a march past, and they nursed hope for a brighter future. Many years after the effusive joy and great gladness during the anniversary, the conviviality that used to greet the day has vanished. Increasingly, leaders have reduced the day to a mere nationwide broadcast.

While Nigeria marked the day yesterday, citizens were burdened by many challenges, and they did not see reason to celebrate an independence they believe is largely on paper.

While the country celebrated yesterday, the media space was awash with unpalatable news about killings in some parts of the country by bandits and robbers. The families of 15 vigilante operatives and hunters killed by bandits in Kwara State were in a mourning mood. The murder of a female journalist with Arise Television in Abuja, a few days ago, by armed robbers, was still fresh in the minds of citizens as Nigeria clocked 65.

There was lamentation across the country. While some were complaining about hunger and abject poverty, others were saying that they no longer feel safe. The government’s efforts have not been able to meet the needs of the people.

On the security front, Nigeria has moved from a nation where citizens moved freely in the past to one where any movement from one part of the country to another is fraught with enormous danger.

Killers in the name of bandits, kidnappers, organ harvesters, Boko Haram and other criminal gangs lay siege every inch of the way.

It is so much so that Nigerians now engage in days of prayer and fasting before they embark on interstate journeys. In those days, parents would hand over their children to complete strangers travelling with commercial buses or trains to another part of the country, several kilometres away. Those children arrived at their destinations safely and in peace. Such things no longer happen today. Only politicians with a heavy armada of security personnel and bodyguards can easily move around these days. Nigeria has degenerated to a level where communities are signing memoranda of understanding (MoU) with bandits to be allowed to live in peace in their own domain.

Citizens are slaughtered like chickens across the country. The security situation in Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno and now Kwara has become worrisome. Non-state actors appear to be dictating the pace of things in the country.

This was never part of the dreams of the founding fathers. The most worrisome of it all is that we hear daily that those saddled with the onerous task of protecting the lives and property of citizens are being compromised. They are being corrupted to sell out, and the country is paying heavily for it. Life is, incrementally, becoming brutish and short in Nigeria.

Nigeria has come to a point where her citizens prefer living abroad to staying back home, with all the hazards they meet on their way while travelling. Today, if aircraft could be stationed at all the international airports in the country to freight people to Europe and America at no charge for them to go sweep the streets of those countries, not many people would be left behind.

That is the criticality of the situation, and that was never the dream of the forebears.

Unlike at independence, when Nigerians spoke with one voice and saw things from the same point of view, today, they are a divided lot. Nigeria has become a babel, and hatred has deepened.

Many Nigerians, except those in government, agree that Nigeria is more divided today than it has ever been in its 65 years of existence.

The acclaimed social cohesion is non-existent, and the evidence is everywhere. What many Nigerians are seeing today is a nation that is being gradually driven to a precipice. People now talk about their ethnic leaning more than their Nigerianness.

People today are apprehensive about living outside their geopolitical zones; these are no signs of a progressive nation.