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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) partnered with the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Port Harcourt and District to train 180 female entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta.

The training took almost all of one-week last week and ended with a colourful graduation ceremony at the impressive Horlinks Event Centre in the Marine Base area of the Garden City.

Amaka Ekaba, a fellow of ICAN, who is the Rapporteur-General of SWAN, produced a report that was read and adopted at the closing ceremony with huge applause. The report recognized Chiedu Ebie, Chairman, NDDC Governing Board; Samuel Ogbuju, Managing Director/CEO, NDDC; Boma Iyaye, Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NDDC; Victor Antai, NDDC Executive Director, Projects; Ifedayo Agbegunde, Executive Director, Corporate Services, the entire NDDC management team; captains of industry; ICAN Chairmen; members of SWAN; and the distinguished lady entrepreneurs. Ekaba’s report said the workshop, held at the NDDC Event Centre, Port Harcourt from 22nd-25th September 2025, was attended by 180 Niger Delta Women Entrepreneurs, 20 SWAN members (including facilitators and organizers), NDDC Directors and 11 CID staff daily for quality assurance. ‘It was declared open by Ogbuku, (MD, NDDC), represented by Antai (ED Projects).

‘In their opening addresses, Ogbuku, Ehiorobo Friday (Director, CID), and Isioma Onwo (Chairperson, SWAN) emphasized the importance of financial literacy and capacity building for women entrepreneurs, affirming that empowering women translates to empowering families and the wider nation. Participants were urged to take the training seriously for business growth and sustainability.’

On the technical papers, Ekaba reported thus: ‘Seven technical sessions were held during the training. Paper one was: Introduction to Bank and Social Media Account Opening by Franca Ikhinwmin. Bank and social media accounts are vital for SME growth, providing credibility and market access. Participants were introduced to Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, and guided on leveraging these platforms to promote their businesses.

‘Paper two was on Introduction to Bookkeeping by the 29th Chairman of ICAN Port Harcourt and District, Helen Irobuisi. Bookkeeping involves systematic daily recording of financial transactions, including tracking income, expenses, and filing source documents. Participants were advised to open key books of accounts (Cash Book, Sales Book, Purchase Book, Stock Register, etc), pay themselves salaries, and separate personal finances from business finances.

‘Paper three was on Tax Awareness. Anchored by the Pioneer Chairman of ICAN Obio Akpor and District, Chioma Ojukwu.

Nigeria’s tax system and the 2025 Tax Act reforms were explained, highlighting new exemptions, levies, VAT changes, and mandatory e-invoicing. Participants were urged to record all business expenses for tax deductions, seek professional tax advice, and consider upgrading from enterprise to limited liability company.’

The report went on to state how Paper four reviewed Record Keeping and Filing by Eme Akpa. ‘Effective record keeping requires tools such as cloud storage, scanning apps, backups, and organized physical files. Participants were cautioned against poor practices such as reliance on memory, scattered files, and lack of proper backups.

‘Paper 5 – Introducing Accounting Applications: Excel and Quick Books by Victoria Adele. Participants were introduced to Excel and QuickBooks for bookkeeping, financial reporting, and preparation of statements. Both tools were emphasized as critical for improving speed, accuracy, and automation, while reducing manual errors.’

On Paper six, ‘Internal Controls was by Peace Wills. Internal controls, including segregation of duties, reconciliations, and safeguarding assets, are crucial for protecting resources, preventing fraud, and building trust. Participants were urged to adopt tools such as vouchers, approval limits, and receipts, and to avoid mixing personal and business finances, with the reminder: What you don’t control will control you.”

Her report said Paper seven dealt with Financial Literacy by Olabisi Bamisile. ‘Financial planning emphasized budgeting, saving, building emergency funds, avoiding debt traps, and teaching financial values. Participants were introduced to a few investment platforms, cooperative savings, and insurance for wealth creation and long-term resilience.

‘Finally, Fidelity Bank Plc also encouraged the women entrepreneurs to take advantage of various packages geared towards supporting their businesses such as the ‘FUNDHER’ package.’

Giving insight into the essence of the training, Onwo, the SWAN chairperson, said: ‘Through our research, we found out that a lot of small and medium sized businesses fail just because of lack of proper record keeping. SWAN PH thought it wise that women entrepreneurs be trained so they can do business more professionally and profitably. For instance, a lot of the participants told us they did not even know they were supposed to keep their personal finances separate from their business finances.’

How do you feel to be named the Cuppy Africa Steinhardt Scholar for a second year in a row?

Honestly, I was shocked, in a good way, though. Being the first recipient last year was already such a huge honour, but winning it again feels like a reminder that the work I’m doing truly matters.

It’s also an encouragement to keep going. For me, this is bigger than an award. It’s about keeping the door open for more Africans who want to explore creative approaches to healing and social impact.

What does this award represent for you personally?

It represents validation of the path I’ve chosen. Drama therapy is not a very common field, especially among Nigerians.

To have my work in this space recognised twice tells me that arts have a rightful place in conversations about health, resilience, and community transformation.

How does it feel to be a trailblazer in drama therapy, being only the second Nigerian to pursue credentialing as a Licensed Drama Therapist in the US?

It feels both exciting and humbling. On one hand, I feel a great sense of pride to be among the very few Nigerians in this field, especially as drama therapy is still emerging globally.

On the other hand, it comes with the responsibility to represent my community well, to pave the way for others, and show that Africans can and should have a place in shaping how creative arts therapies grow worldwide.

I hope my journey helps make this path more visible for future Nigerians who want to combine mental health with the arts.

You’ve often spoken about Arts as a tool for social change. Can you share some examples of your work?

In Nigeria, I directed community theatre projects that addressed societal issues such as gender-based violence and lack of quality education.

Here in the U.S., I’ve worked on performances that talk about gun violence, immigration, and race. The goal has always been the same: to use theatre as a mirror, a voice, and sometimes, a form of healing.

You’ve also had opportunities on the global stage. What stands out for you?

Representing Nigeria at the World Bank Youth Summit in Washington, D.C. was a highlight. I was presenting my research on drama therapy and dementia care at an international medical humanities conference in Qatar. These platforms reminded me that our local stories have global relevance.

What do you envision for the future of your work in Nigeria?

I hope to continue building bridges between Nigeria and the global community in the areas of mental health, creative arts, and social change.

I want my work to inspire conversations about how the arts can serve as a therapeutic tool, not just in Nigeria but worldwide. Whether through collaborations, research, training programs, or advocacy, I aim to spotlight Nigerian voices on international platforms and create opportunities for others to engage with creative arts therapies.

For me, it’s about expanding access and recognition so that more communities, including those in Nigeria, can benefit from the healing potential of the arts.

Telecommunications giant Globacom has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s cultural heritage by renewing its sponsorship of the 2025 Ofala Festival, a vibrant celebration led by Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha.

The announcement, made during a press briefing at the Obi’s Palace in Onitsha, underscores the festival’s pivotal role in driving Nigeria’s projected N11.2 trillion tourism sector contribution to GDP in 2025.The Ofala Festival, scheduled for October 17-18, 2025, will feature the Iru Ofala and Azu Ofala, alongside events like the Oreze Art Exhibition, a youth carnival, a medical outreach, and a royal banquet.

Globacom, the festival’s principal sponsor since 2011, emphasized that its support is rooted in the belief that cultural celebrations like Ofala are vital to Nigeria’s economy, identity, and global presence. ‘Nigeria’s tourism sector is expected to contribute N11.2 trillion to GDP in 2025, up from N10.9 trillion in 2024, with domestic tourism expenditure reaching N6.1 trillion and international visitor spending at N803.2 billion. These figures highlight the economic power of culture and tourism. Our investment in Ofala is about building communities, creating jobs, and fostering pride,’ Globacom stated.

Nigeria is intensifying reforms in its agricultural seed sector to boost food security, strengthen export competitiveness, and ensure farmers’ access to high-quality inputs as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) begins a fresh evaluation of the country’s seed system.

Speaking in Abuja, Abdullahi Sabi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural base through quality seeds.

‘The very first thing the President said in his agricultural manifesto was: ‘Plant the right seed, feed an entire nation.’ That vision is what drives us.

‘If we are to guarantee our food security, it means farmers must and should have access to affordable, quality seed at all times. Nigeria is more than happy to be part of this ecosystem’, Sabi said.

He stressed that Nigeria’s yield gap remains ‘worrisome’ and blamed poor-quality or fake seeds for limiting productivity.

‘Currently, there are a lot of people who claim to be seed entrepreneurs and they are just giving people grains, not seed. If this scheme can guarantee high-yield, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient varieties, then we are in good business,’ he noted.

The Minister further noted concerns about pesticide residues in Nigerian exports: ‘Today’s headlines are about toxic harvests. This is consigning.

‘We cannot allow our hardworking farmers to lose premium prices because of lack of knowledge. Good seeds reduce the need for agrochemicals and improve keeping quality and nutrition’, he added.

On his part, Fatuhu Mohammed Buhari, Director General of the National Agricultural Seed Council described the OECD mission as a ‘historic milestone’ for Nigeria.

‘The OECD schemes provide an international framework for the certification of varietal identity and purity of agricultural seeds in trade. Nigeria was the 62nd country to join, and just one year after accession, we have become the OECD Africa Forum Secretariat,’ Buhari said.

He revealed that Nigeria had already trained seed system actors from Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Congo, and Benin Republic, underscoring the country’s emerging leadership in Africa’s seed sector.

‘With OECD membership, Nigeria’s seed companies can now access international markets across Africa and beyond. This positions Nigeria strategically within ECOWAS to influence our neighbours to join the scheme.’

Representing the OECD, Aurelia Nicotte, Programme Manager, commended Nigeria’s progress since joining the seed schemes in 2023.

‘We sincerely believe that the OECD seed scheme contributes to food security goals and to the development of sustainable agriculture,’ Nicotte said.

‘It helps improve farmers’ livelihoods and contributes to economic growth because seed is really the start of the food system. You cannot do anything in agriculture without seed.’

Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), in a bid to advance the Nigerian energy landscape, has signed an agreement with Granville Energy (PTY) Limited to design, build, finance, and operate a 100 megawatt (MW) floating solar power plant at the Kainji hydro power plant.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Sani Bello, Chairman, Board of Directors, Mainstream Energy Solutions, said that the project is a significant step forward in the company’s mission to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape.

He explained that when fully operational, the project will provide thousands of Nigerian homes and businesses with clean, reliable energy, supporting economic development while minimising environmental impact.

‘We are proud to partner with Granville Energy (PTY) Limited to design, build, finance, and operate a 100MW floating solar power plant at the Kainji hydro power plant. This pioneer project embodies our unwavering commitment to increasing power generation in Nigeria while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

‘As an organisation. We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to renewable energy, aligning this with our mission statement and the focus areas of our Corporate Social Responsibility interventions. This MOU signing is a testament to our resolve to drive positive change and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

‘This aligns perfectly with our core objective: powering Nigeria’s economic growth in an environmentally responsible manner,’ he said.

In his remarks, Abba Aliyu, Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA) noted that Nigeria currently have the highest number of people without electricity, with most of these people located in the rural and urban areas of the country.

For him, the most economically viable means of providing them with electricity is through distributed renewable energy, through the deployment of renewable sources.

‘For us to have an opportunity where 100 megawatts of renewable energy can be injected into the grid, for us, this is a huge and significant increase in the renewable mix of the country. I will say that apart from the Azura, which was 450 megawatts that was added as a Greenfield, and Zungeru, which mainstream is very much active in managing that, there is no significant renewable capacity that has been added to the grid.

‘Initially, the Rural Electrification Agency is currently working on injecting about 188.4 megawatts through interconnected mini-grids, one of which we intend to be the first to will do the floating solar in the University of Lagos, where we will put the panels by the side of the lagoon to power the University of Lagos.

‘But definitely, the commitment of the mainstream and the partners, Granville Energy, is something that the federal government will always have pleasure in and will always key into it.

He said that Nigeria needs to increase the generation capacity, hence the need to deploy more renewable resources and an innovative model like this that harnesses the space around the hydro and creates a floating solar.

He also advised the companies that the project should come with its own distribution network, SCADA system, and full meters to enhance the commercial viability of the project, adding that without these, the commercial viability of the renewable project can never be sustained.

‘This is an ingenious, complex framework that must be encouraged, and for the Rural Electrification Agency, we would like to be part of this initiative, key into it, support it, and in any way also learn from how we will do that, how we will deploy it at this level of capacity,’ he added.

Also speaking, Tabi T. Tabi, Chief Executive Officer, Granville Energy, said that the MOU commits both parties to the development of the Kainji Floating Solar Plant, which is intended to reach a total capacity of 1,000 megawatts (1 Gigawatt).

He explained that the immediate focus is the rapid deployment of phase one, which will add 100 MW of hybrid renewable power to the grid. ‘This multi-gigawatt vision is a testament to what is possible when two African giants-Nigeria and South Africa-collaborate,’ he said.

Tabi noted that by deploying high-efficiency solar panels directly onto the surface of the Kainji reservoir, the project will deliver a powerful hybrid system. This synergy, he said, ensures that when the sun shines brightest, it generates solar power; and when it sets, or when water flow fluctuates, the stabilised output of the hydro plant and the power from the battery energy storage systems step in, providing consistent, reliable power to the national grid.

‘Floating solar is a win for water management. By covering a section of the reservoir, we drastically reduce water evaporation-a critical benefit for a nation balancing energy production with agricultural and domestic water needs.

‘This first 100 MW phase is the down payment on a larger vision that will, upon completion, provide 1,000 MW of new, clean capacity, dramatically cutting carbon emissions and cementing Nigeria’s commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement and its long-term climate targets,’ he said

It is two years since you took over as chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). How has the journey been and what would you give as your achievements in the agency?

When we set out on this journey, our mind was set on reforming the fiscal landscape of Nigeria and consequently changing the revenue structure of the Federation. To the glory of God, two years on, the figures are justifying that the reforms we embarked upon were the right steps to take. Let me start from the latest evidence, for the first time the three tiers of government shared a record monthly allocation in excess of N2 trillion. States and local government councils are now more empowered to carry out their responsibilities to Nigerians in their domains.

Nearly 70 percent of what the three tiers of government gather every month to share comes from tax revenue collected by FIRS. This is an eloquent testimony to the reforms spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, all credits must go to the president for the courage he has demonstrated in leadership by setting the economic fundamentals right in order for the reforms to bring plenty fruits and gains for the federation. By removing subsidy on petrol and collapsing the hitherto dual exchange rate windows, floating the naira consequently, the health of the Federation account has blossomed greatly, as there are no bogus subsidy claims that would naturally have depleted the accruals into the pool.

In addition to these, the president in his inaugural speech, promised to make his industrial and economic policy one that will remove hurdles in the way of businesses. As a follow up to that, he set up a committee which worked so hard with other stakeholders to bring about the new tax laws that will go into effect from January next year. This is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria’s fiscal ecosystem since independence in 1960. The president has fulfilled his promise to make businesses flourish by removing all burdens and hurdles. This has been done with the new tax laws which will eliminate multiple taxes.

The president said we should not have more than single digit tax types and that has been achieved now. The various tax laws which are scattered in several legislations have now been consolidated and streamlined into a single document. Tax is not easy to collect anywhere in the world and it will be made more difficult if taxpayers go through unnecessary hurdles before they can pay taxes. The fact that these laws were scattered in various legislations gives room for different applications and make compliance cumbersome. But all that is history now.

Perhaps the biggest deal for Nigerians is that food, education, shared transportation, agriculture are going to be VAT-free. This will have positive effect on more than 80 percent of Nigerians. This is in addition to the tax adjustment of personal income of those in the low-income brackets. Small businesses with turnover of N50 million will not pay tax. All these go to show that President Tinubu is a compassionate leader who knows there the shoes pinch for businesses. A more business-friendly environment has now been created with these new laws.

As an agency, FIRS has grown in leaps and bounds in the last two years. Carrying out the president’s mandate, we re-structured our internal operations from the functional tax typologies to a customer-centric approach. Now, all tax types are paid at a one-stop shop. How do I mean? We put the taxpayers into the emerging tax, medium and government tax as well as large tax buckets. The categorisation is done according to the turnover thresholds of the companies, with those having turnover of N5 billion and above in the large taxpayers’ bucket.

What this means is that these companies pay all the tax types they need to pay at a single tax office which caters for their categories. We no longer have a situation where several offices or units are writing to the same company and asking for different things about the VAT or CIT and so on. This has engendered a shift in the mental geography of our staff and has seen a transition to a Federal Inland Revenue Service that is customer-focused. We are service providers to the taxpayers rather than coming across to them as a tax law enforcement agency.

Non-oil tax revenue has grown exponentially and for the first time in a long while, we met and surpassed our oil and gas tax revenue target for this year, thanks to the improved security situation in the country which has energised the oil companies to grow and make profits.

Do you think the economy has really turned the corner? Critics say much has really not changed for the country and its citizens since the president took over in 2023.

Even you journalists know that it will be inaccurate for anyone to come with such claims. Yes, the removal of subsidy on petrol created some disruptions in the living conditions of most Nigerians. Transportation costs went up, as did prices of goods and services. The disruptions can be likened to the pain of a woman in labour. After she is delivered of the baby, comfort and bliss will follow.

To cushion the effect, President Tinubu came up with the compressed natural gas initiative which has seen millions of vehicles converted from petrol to CNG. CNG buses were also procured and distributed to states. From the height that it went earlier in the year, petrol price is coming down. Don’t forget that we also came up with the crude-for-naira initiative which is helping local refiners get access to crude oil in naira. The exchange rate that went up is also coming down.

The FX market has navigated away from arbitrage which used to be the order of the day.

Foreign airlines and others were owed $7 billion by Nigeria. President Tinubu came and cleared the debt. About 90% of revenue was devoted to servicing debt, but the rate has gone down to about 50% in two years. The tax-to-GDP ratio was 10% when we took over, now it is 13.5%. But that is not where we are going. We are aiming to beat Africa’s average of 15% and achieve 18% by 2027. External reserves have climbed up to $41 billion. The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) created by President Tinubu has seen almost N90 billion disbursed to over 450, 000 students across the country.

There are many road projects going on and some completed across the country, covering all the six geo-political zones. These roads are opening up economic corridors across the country.

Federal allocations to state have grown by almost 70%, enabling them to enjoy a great level of fiscal stability and debt management. According to the figures from DMO, about 30 states repaid N1.85trillion in debt over 18 months. We should keep these figures in perspective when x-raying this administration.

What is the truth about this 5% surcharge on petrol?

The problem with the people bandying this about is either that they don’t read or they read but do not understand. In my earlier comments, I said there were many laws about taxes which were scattered in various legislations, making compliance difficult for taxpayers. To remove the burden, we harmonised these laws into a single document and one of such laws is the petrol tax. The law had existed under the FERMA Act 2007 and the purpose was to use the money therefrom for road maintenance. The new law lays down the procedure for this provision to come into effect. There must be a commencement order from the minister of finance which will be publicly announced and also gazetted. So, it does not automatically mean that this provision will go into effect from January next year.

Remember, one of the first set of reliefs President Tinubu brought to Nigerians was to remove 7.5% VAT on diesel. Is it that same president that will now impose additional cost on petrol for the citizens at this time?

Why was FIRS changed to Nigeria Revenue Service and what should taxpayers expect from the agency when it goes full throttle next year?

Let me start from what the taxpayers should expect from us. They should expect a fair tax administration that will also come without hassles. Our core mandate is simple: assess, collect and account for revenue accruing to the Federation. In doing this, we will be fairer as a tax authority and continue to provide quality service to our only customers, that is, the taxpayers. The president has done a lot in bringing reliefs to Nigerians and businesses with the new tax laws. Compliance should be easier now and of course our advocacy has been on voluntary compliance. Do the right thing at all times and don’t wait till our tax people visit your premises. If they have any issue, they should get in touch with us. With the new tax laws, evasion will be pretty difficult. Companies should be diligent in their tax planning. Those who still think they can find a way to game the system will find out that evasion or trying to cut corners will be costlier than being compliant and honest.

There is one proverb in my language, ‘If the main course is not satisfying, there is nothing anybody can give you as a gift that will be enough.’ So, if within, we cannot develop Nigeria, nobody will come and develop it for us.

President Tinubu’s mantra has always been: ‘I’m not here to tax poverty; I’m here to tax prosperity. My government will tax the fruits of your investments and not the seeds.’ When companies are doing well and are making profits and are expanding their operations, we will benefit from their doing well.

The tax rate is simple. If the base is 10, we will have three. If the base increases to 20, we will have six. If the base increases to 30, we will have nine. So, if I want to have more, it’s not by going on an aggressive revenue drive. It is to help the companies to do well and that is when I will do well too. So, that is why, for us at Nigeria Revenue Service, we are here to remove all the hurdles in the way of our taxpayers. This is what President Tinubu has done with the new tax laws. He has fulfilled his electoral promise and we should all commend him for being a promise keeper.

On why we are changing from Federal Inland Revenue Service to the Nigeria Revenue Service, the word federal in the name of the agency gives the erroneous impression that we are only collecting tax revenue for the federal government. When you say ‘Inland’, it wrongly means we are only collecting money from Nigeria, which is not what we are doing. I will give you examples. We collect VAT, 90% of which is for states. When you therefore say ‘federal’, it means we are not representing what we do. The new name, NRS, shows we are the sole tax authority for all revenue collection for the Nigerian federation according to our laws.

Africacomicade, Africa’s leading catalyst for the immersive and interactive media industry, has announced the sixth edition of Gamathon Nigeria 2025, the flagship event of its continental tour, set to hold in Lagos.

The convention will also debut a $30,000 fund dedicated to supporting African game developers, highlighting its role as a launchpad for industry growth.

The gathering, themed ‘Bridge’, is being positioned as the continent’s most important platform for video games, extended reality (XR), animation, and digital creative industries. Organisers say the event will not only connect Africa’s innovators with investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, but also channel new funding opportunities, including the $30,000 Android Game Development Program, to help position African youth as creators in the fast-growing global digital economy.

Building on regional tours in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa earlier this year, the Nigeria edition, the flagship event and grand finale of this year’s continental tour, will take place in Lagos from September 29 to October 4, 2025, and is expected to consolidate the movement into one transformative week.

‘The regional tours in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa have demonstrated the immense talent and potential across our continent,’ said Michael Oscar, Founder of Africacomicade. He said the event would help unlock new opportunities for cross-border collaboration, investment, and youth empowerment.

Alongside the $30,000 development fund, the convention will feature the unveiling of new titles such as Relooted and the introduction of promising studios like Cregon Studios and the official launch of games from the Android Port Challenge, backed by Google.

In addition, the convention will award winners from the Sanlam Alliance Challenge and a special showcase of Tossdown, the recently published hit game, in an exclusive version. The event addresses a critical market opportunity as Africa’s gaming and creative tech sectors experience growth. With the continent poised to contribute significantly to the next billion digital consumers globally, Gamathon 2025 focuses on positioning African youth as creators rather than merely consumers.

‘The next billion players are coming from the continent,’ emphasised Oscar. ‘It’s crucial to position our youth as creators to ensure a sustainable future for our society and economy.’

Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State is experiencing a windfall of bountiful harvest as new yams flood markets in the area from the agrarian communities across the River Niger.

The coastal Ose Market, Marine, and Akpaka forest area are awash with fresh yam produce coming from the year’s harvest.

Speaking to newsmen, the farmers claimed to have had a bountiful harvest this year and were satisfied with the level of patronage from buyers.

Mazi Emeka Ozuah, a farmers said he was happy that hardship would drastically reduce with the new yams in the markets

‘It will help to stabilize the price of other food commodities in the markets, making it affordable for the suffering consumers,’ he said.

A brief survey of food prices in the State revealed a sharp drop in the prices of some staple foods like rice and garri.

A painter of rice now sells at N3,700 as against N6,000, while a painter of garri now sells N1,200 as against N3,200 depending on types.

Tubers of yam price varies based on the size from N500, N700, N1000 and up. The old yams have disappeared from markets.

Also, a bag sweat potato sales between N5,000 and N8,000 as against N16,000 to N18,000 before.

The communities of Anam, Aguleri, and Umuleri in Anambra East and West are known for their agricultural output, especially yams, the staple and traditional food of the Igbo people.

In Anambra State, Southeastern cultivation thrives in fertile riverine and savanna soils, supporting food security and livelihoods for millions. Examples of key communities include Anam in Anambra West LGA, where eight villages produce over 70% of the State’s foodstuffs, including massive yam yields from the floodplains of Rivers Niger and Anambra.

The Nteje community specialises in seed yams for sale, minimizing home consumption to maximize commerce.

Igbo-Ukwu in Aguata LGA embraces innovative sack cultivation, training over 45 farmers in 2022 for sustainable, space-efficient farming. These areas yield white, yellow, and water yams, integral to festivals like Otite Anam New Yam rites.

Despite challenges like soil degradation, yam farming boosts economies, with smallholders earning a living via markets like Oye Achalla and Ose Okwodu grocery market.

The federal government has successfully brokered an agreement between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, leading to a decision to call off the association’s strike action and redeploy disengaged workers of the refinery.

The reconciliatory meetings at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, had become necessary following the PENGASSAN’s directive to members to stop gas supply to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and withdrawal their services over what was described as the unlawful termination of over 800 of its members by the refinery’s management.

As contained in communique signed by all parties at the end of the meeting, Dingyadi informed the meeting that unionisation was a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria and that this right should be respected.

The communique stated that after examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.

‘Whereas the leadership of PENGASSAN said that the directives given to stop the supply of gas to Dangote Petroleum and withdrawal of services was in response to the termination of appointment of over Eight Hundred members of PENGASSAN by the management of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical on the other hand, explained the reason for disengagement of the workers was as a result of the ongoing reorganization in the company. ‘No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.

‘PENGASSAN agreed to start the process of calling off the strike. Both parties agreed to this understanding in good faith,’ it stated.

The conciliation was attended by high-ranking officials of government, including the National Security Adviser; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Minister of State for Labour and Employment; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, representing the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas); as well as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Also present were the chief executives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), alongside representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the President and Secretary-General of PENGASSAN.

In the fiercely competitive landscape of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is no longer a ‘nice to have’ or a badge for large corporations: it is fast becoming a decisive differentiator. For entrepreneurs seeking to scale more quickly, embracing ESG frameworks offers practical pathways to access capital, attract investors, and accelerate progress. Below, I outline how SMEs can realise this potential-and point to homegrown examples that show it works.

Why ESG matters for SME growth

1. Access to capital

Investors, from impact funds to development finance institutions (DFIs) and commercial banks, are increasingly tying funding to ESG performance. Green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and grants often favour businesses that can demonstrate solid environmental stewardship, social impact, and credible governance practices. Compliance with ESG frameworks helps SMEs qualify for such instruments, often on more favourable terms (lower interest, longer tenors, or performance incentives).

2. Attracting investors and partnerships

Investors are increasingly demanding more than financial returns. They want businesses that mitigate risk (especially environmental risk), that engage positively with their communities, and that are transparent and well governed. ESG becomes a seal of confidence and legitimacy. Further, many global supply chains now impose ESG criteria: an SME that can meet these will unlock international buyers and partnerships.

3. Operational efficiency, trust and brand value

Good ESG practices lead to cost savings (through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and improved labour productivity), reduced regulatory or reputational risks, and stronger stakeholder relations. For employees, customers, local communities, and even regulators, a business seen to act responsibly tends to enjoy greater loyalty and less friction. All of which speeds growth.

How to align with ESG frameworks: Practical steps

Start with materiality: Identify which ESG issues matter most in the enterprise’s sector and for its stakeholders. For an agricultural SME, water usage or soil health might be material; for a digital/fintech SME, data privacy and financial inclusion may rank higher.

Governance structures: Even small companies benefit from clear governance policies: defined decision-makers, transparent reporting (even internally), and risk assessment. Governance builds investor confidence.

Measurement, reporting and disclosure: Keep simple but reliable data. Use existing ESG frameworks (global or regional) or standards that are ‘proportionate’ to SME size. Disclosure doesn’t have to be costly-it can start with basic ESG metrics and evolve.

Leverage support and networks: Use accelerator programmes, angel or impact investor networks, and industry associations that help with ESG capacity building. Government policies or regulations sometimes offer incentives or relief for ESG-compliant practices.

Embed ESG into strategy: ESG should not be a side project but part of strategic planning: how products are designed, supply chains managed, stakeholders engaged, and growth planned.

Nigerian examples of SMEs scaling with ESG

Nigeria already has multiple SMEs that illustrate how integrating ESG can accelerate growth.

Farmforte: This agribusiness startup emphasises sustainable farming methods, renewable energy, and efficient water usage. By doing so, it has attracted international funding and interest, boosting its capacity and enabling expansion of its agro-industrial park. (Businessday NG)

She included a fintech SME focused on financial inclusion, especially for women entrepreneurs. By aligning with social impact goals (women’s empowerment and inclusion) and strong governance, Shecluded has been able to draw in investors who care about social returns as well as financial ones. (Businessday NG)

These are not just feel-good stories. They demonstrate that ESG alignment can enhance fundability, reduce capital costs, foster market trust, and facilitate scaling.

Challenges and how to overcome them

Of course, many SMEs face barriers: lack of awareness, limited technical capacity, the cost of setting up measurement or reporting systems, and external pressure (regulation, supply chain demands) without support. Research in Nigeria shows that inadequate internal environmental management policies, lack of know-how, and limited access to sustainable finance are especially binding constraints. (SpringerOpen)

To overcome these:

-Governments and regulators must simplify ESG compliance for SMEs-proportionate disclosure, clear guidance, and support programmes.

DFIs, impact investors and development partners should provide blended finance or grants to help SMEs build ESG capacity.

-Industry associations, accelerators, and civil society can build peer networks and knowledge sharing.

ESG and access to capital: What investors are looking for

Investors looking to back scaling SMEs tend to assess ESG performance via:

-Environmental: carbon footprint/energy efficiency; resource usage; waste management; adaptation to climate risk.

-Social: labour practices (fair wages, safety); diversity/inclusion; community impact; customer protection.

-Governance: transparency; board or leadership clarity; supply chain integrity; risk management.

Meeting these criteria allows SMEs to both apply for ESG-specific capital (green funds, impact funds) and improve their attractiveness in standard investment due diligence.

The ESG growth multiplier

When ESG is well integrated:

-SMEs reduce risk (regulatory, reputational, operational), thereby lowering the cost of capital.

-They open new markets (export markets or supply chains with ESG stipulations).

-They build stronger brands, greater customer trust, and better employee retention.

-They may become eligible for incentives (tax breaks, government contracts, preferential loans).

These gains compound: better capital, better operations, better scaling.

Conclusion

For SMEs in Nigeria and across Africa, ESG is not a distant requirement tied only to large corporations. It is a growth enabler: one that unlocks better capital, stronger partnerships, and more resilient operations. Entrepreneurs who align their strategies with ESG frameworks now position themselves not only for faster scaling but also for sustainable scaling.

As policy continues to evolve (for example, mandatory ESG or sustainability disclosure standards, or ESG-linked financing instruments), those SMEs who have already done the work, or who begin now, will have a competitive head start. For entrepreneurs, the message is clear: invest in ESG not just for compliance or ethics, but as a deliberate accelerator of growth.