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A strategic communicator and entrepreneur, Olamide Blessing-Kayode, has described Nigeria’s marketing communications sector as a dynamic field with vast opportunities and creative professionals contributing to brand growth and economic development.

Blessing-Kayode, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vert Idée Limited, made the remark following her conferment as a Fellow of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). She explained that the recognition represents not only an acknowledgement of her contributions to the industry but also a call to greater responsibility.

‘With the ARCON fellowship, it’s obvious that the little we have contributed over the years were noticed and impactful. However, I see the elevation as a challenge that we must not rest on our oars. We must continue to drive processes that will impact brands and attract consumers to our clients,’ she said.

She attributed her success to the collective efforts of mentors, team members, and clients who have supported her career journey. ‘As the African proverb says, a tree does not make a forest. I have a community who shares my dream for excellence and clients who believe in my expertise. The combination of these two groups has made the journey smooth and impactful. I dedicate the fellowship to them,’ she added.

With over three decades of professional experience spanning creative, media, out-of-home, branding, and experiential marketing, Blessing-Kayode has played a key role in strengthening brand communication in Nigeria. Her work cuts across multiple sectors including fast-moving consumer goods, finance, hospitality, catering, and pharmaceuticals.

Through Vert Idée Limited, located in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, she has developed campaigns that help organisations connect with consumers and improve market visibility. Her leadership approach focuses on collaboration, professional development, and ethical practice.

Beyond her corporate engagements, Blessing-Kayode is committed to mentoring young professionals. Her firm provides hands-on training, National Youth Service placements, and learning opportunities aimed at preparing future leaders in the marketing communications space.

She said her goal is to continue building capacity within the industry while supporting initiatives that link communication strategy with national development.

‘The ARCON fellowship is a morale booster and a reminder that there is still much to be done,’ she said. ‘We must continue to create ideas that move brands forward and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our economy.’

Blessing-Kayode’s recognition by ARCON underscores her long-standing commitment to the advancement of the marketing communications profession in Nigeria.

I was a teenager when I first worked construction in Essex. The job lasted three weeks: early mornings, cold metal scaffolding, and heavy equipment. I wasn’t good at it. But I was fascinated by how empty plots became homes. That sense of possibility stayed with me.

Years later, standing on a Lagos construction site, I felt the same pull but also saw something different. Across the city, countless buildings sit half-finished, cranes frozen mid-air, workers gone, and capital trapped in concrete shells. The problem isn’t a lack of ambition or ability. It’s the absence of invisible infrastructure: trust.

The $20 billion question

Every year, Nigerians abroad send home more than $20 billion, roughly four times the country’s foreign direct investment and more than the GDP of several African nations. Much of this money goes toward family needs, but an increasing share seeks meaningful investment opportunities, particularly in real estate.

The appetite is clear. The capital exists. What’s missing is a trusted bridge that safely connects both sides.

Last month, a friend in London showed me photos of a development he funded in Lekki three years ago. Construction stopped at 40 percent. His ?8 million deposit is now tied up in an unfinished structure. No updates. No accountability. No recourse. Multiply his experience by thousands, and you begin to understand the trust deficit that limits Africa’s property markets.

The developer’s dilemma

From the developer’s side, the challenge is equally complex. Real estate financing in Nigeria remains expensive and often inaccessible. Banks lend sparingly, and when they do, rates can reach double-digit annual rates. Many developers turn to private lenders and fintech platforms for short-term working capital, sometimes at monthly rates above 10 percent.

These facilities play an essential role in keeping projects moving, but they aren’t designed for long-term real estate development. When timelines stretch or sales slow, costs compound, and progress stalls. The issue isn’t lending itself. It’s the lack of structured, transparent financing models that match real-world construction cycles.

This is not unique to Nigeria. Developers in Ghana, Kenya, and even South Africa face similar obstacles. The missing link across all markets is the same: reliable infrastructure for trust, compliance, and capital flow.

A hidden kind of infrastructure

When people talk about Africa’s infrastructure gap, they think of roads, power, and water. But there’s another kind of infrastructure just as vital: the systems that enable commerce, investment, and accountability at scale.

For real estate, that means three things:

? Transparent tracking: Investors should be able to monitor construction progress in real time, not through late or missing reports. Today’s technology makes that achievable.

? Professional due diligence: Developers and properties must be properly vetted before capital is raised, with verified titles and licensed oversight.

? Fractional access and liquidity: Real estate shouldn’t require millions to participate. Properly regulated fractional ownership opens the door for broader participation and creates a liquid secondary market.

Technology as enabler, not saviour

Technology can transform how we invest. Blockchain allows transparent ownership records. Smart contracts ensure funds are released only when milestones are met. ‘Tokenisation’ enables the buying and selling of property shares like any other asset.

But technology alone isn’t enough. Without regulation and accountability, innovation turns chaotic. What Africa’s real estate market needs is the right blend of technology and traditional finance, where innovation strengthens compliance instead of bypassing it.

That means designing platforms in partnership with regulators, not apart from them. Building small, testing rigorously, proving reliability, and scaling responsibly.

Seasonal demand and diaspora opportunity

Nigeria’s diaspora represents one of the world’s most dynamic investor groups. Many still dream of owning property back home, yet remain cautious after years of failed projects and inconsistent experiences.

Each December, that same diaspora returns home in large numbers, bringing not just capital but consumption. According to the Lagos Short-Let Market Report 2024, demand for temporary accommodation surges by over 40 percent during the festive season. ‘Detty December’ has become an economy of its own, attracting thousands of visitors who rely on short-term housing across Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Abuja.

Now imagine channeling even a fraction of diaspora remittances into structured, fractional real estate investments that generate both returns and usable spaces for these seasonal inflows. That’s not charity. It’s smart economics.

Countries like Kenya and Ghana are already experimenting with diaspora-linked property funds. Nigeria, with its size and global reach, can lead the way if we put the right systems in place.

Laying the foundation

You don’t rebuild trust overnight. You start small with pilot projects that prove transparency, compliance, and delivery. Success on a small scale attracts regulatory confidence, institutional support, and investor participation.

At Assetrix, we are taking a practical approach to rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s real estate market. Working with SEC-licensed partners, the goal is to create a transparent bridge between developers seeking credible funding and investors, both at home and abroad, who demand accountability for every naira committed. Our first cohort, comprising 170 founding members and select premium developments across Lagos, is a deliberate test case in doing things differently. The mission is not to scale recklessly but to prove, one project at a time, that transparency and delivery can coexist and that trust, once earned, can redefine an entire market.

What success looks like

Picture a future where Nigerians in the diaspora can invest confidently from London, Houston, or Toronto, track construction updates on their phones, and earn returns through verified, tradable property shares. Where developers can access fair capital without unsustainable interest burdens. Where transparency lowers risk and strengthens delivery.

That’s not a dream. It’s infrastructure. The kind that turns possibility into participation.

And the timing has never been better.

The $20 billion sent home each year by Nigeria’s diaspora represents more than remittances. It’s untapped potential. With the right trust systems in place, that money could fund the homes, hotels, and short-lets that define the next generation of African cities.

I saw possibility take shape once on a construction site in Essex. I see it again in Lagos today. Only this time, we’re building the foundations that let everyone, home and abroad, own a piece of that possibility.

Mayowa Adeosun is the Founder and CEO of Assetrix, a proptech/fintech platform bridging transparency and capital access in African real estate. He previously co-founded Sycamore and Bedrock Residences.

Hadiza Bala Usman is, to use a popular Nigerian parlance, truly ‘her father’s daughter’.

Although her father, the late Yusufu Bala Usman, the firebrand history teacher at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, didn’t earn his popularity on the terrain of partisan politics, he did belong to the Aminu Kano-led Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) during Nigeria’s Second Republic and was, indeed, briefly the Secretary to the Kaduna State government in the Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa administration. It was rather in the realms of academic scholarship and social activism that he flourished. He founded the Centre for Democratic Development and Research Training, popularly known as CDD.

His daughter, Hadiza, may not readily evoke the image of a firebrand activist of the leftist persuasion, but she co-founded the Bring Back Our Girls movement. Like her father, she has not been in the more self-acclaimed progressive faction of Nigeria’s political divide, being a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) axis.

‘The office recognises that security directly affects agriculture – farmers’ access to land, markets, and transportation routes. Encouragingly, some farmlands that were previously abandoned have been reopened in the past year, though much remains to be done.’

But, unlike her father, she has not had a shortage of political appointments – chief of staff to the governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2016; managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 2016 to 2021; and special adviser on policy and coordination to the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) of President Bola Tinubu since June 2023.

Hadiza Bala Usman was born on 2 January 1976 in Zaria. Her paternal grandfather was Durbin Katsina. Her granduncle was Usman Nagogo, the Emir of Katsina, and her great-grandfather was Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko (father to her paternal grandfather). She is, by blood, too, deeply related to the Kano royals (Gidan Dabo) through her maternal grandparents.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2000 from ABU and a master’s degree in development studies from the University of Leeds in 2009.

She has worked at the Bureau of Public Enterprises and, as a hiree of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, as a special assistant to the Minister on project implementation.

In 2015, following his election, Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai appointed her as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kaduna State, thus becoming the first female to hold that position. When you thought that her suspension as the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), following a public spat with then transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, meant she was finished, she staged a comeback to prominence when she became the Deputy Director-General, Administration of the Tinubu/Shettima APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 presidential election. In June 2023, she was appointed Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Always in power circles, Hadza was married to economic analyst Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, who served under the former (late) President Umaru Musa Yar’adua as economic adviser. Together they have two boys.

In 2011, Usman campaigned and lost for the federal constituency of Musawa/Matazu as a candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change.

Her book, Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at Nigerian Ports Authority, published by TheCable Books in April 2023, copiously details her resilience.

Urged to blow her trumpet on account of the many positions she has occupied, she says with infectious modesty, ‘It’s difficult for me to talk about myself. I prefer my work to speak for me. I do have my curriculum vitae, which I can share, but I’m generally one of those who don’t enjoy talking about themselves. What truly matters is recognising the experience one brings to governance.’

She readily admits, however, that ‘For over two decades, I’ve been part of the governance process-both at the federal and state levels-and have developed a deep understanding of how government should function. Through my career trajectory, I’ve experienced governance firsthand. I know what needs to be done, where the challenges lie, and the key ingredients necessary for a government to perform effectively.’

Hadiza is proud of her accomplishments as chief of staff to the governor of Kaduna State, where she was deeply involved in deploying effective governance structures and pioneering special initiatives aligned with the governor’s commitments. Among these were the implementation of the Single Treasury Account (TSA), the introduction of zero-based budgeting, and the improvement of personnel across ministries to enhance productivity. ‘But more importantly,’ she recalls, ‘my role was about translating vision into reality.’ It was then easy for her to apply those principles to the national level, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where she curbed revenue leakages and ensured that third-party contractors delivered on their mandates.

Her present position enables her to operate across two main domains: policy coordination and delivery of high-impact results. She leads the Results Delivery and Coordination Unit, which has the responsibility of defining each minister’s mandate – identifying their key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurable deliverables. ‘We then dissect these mandates to create a holistic framework for each sector,’ she explains. The office also addresses structural overlaps by defining the roles of ministers of state across.

Once mandates are clearly defined, the office translates them into deliverables that align with citizens’ pain points. Working collaboratively with ministries, it ensures that they take ownership of these goals and that deliverables are expressed in specific milestones.

Hadiza gives a telling example of how her office has delivered on its mandate. ‘We’ve also addressed systemic issues, such as non-release of funds, which often hinder performance. Where such cases arise, we determine where the problem is – between the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General – and sort them out appropriately.’

Describing its impact, she says her office has resulted in ‘a complete shift in governance style’.

She says that ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to have a hands-on understanding of ministerial performance. Previously, the delivery unit was under the office of the Permanent Secretary for Cabinet Affairs, which had no direct access to the President. This limited its effectiveness. Now, my office provides the President with a clear line of sight into every ministry’s performance.’

The impact of her office’s work has been felt across sectors such as education, agriculture, and security. In education, the President has been clear about his passion for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Policies are being refined to improve funding for TVET, standardise certification, and strengthen linkages between vocational skills and industry needs. There has also been the recognition of the need to support graduates seeking ICT-related skills for self-employment. Nigeria, being one of the world’s largest English-speaking nations, has untapped opportunities in areas such as global voice-over services and outsourcing – areas we are working to harness through policy.

Additionally, it has reviewed policies on language of instruction in primary schools. Currently, teaching in local languages up to Primary Four – before switching to English – has hindered progress in some regions. This policy is under review to balance cultural preservation with practical learning outcomes. To ensure consistency across government, it has developed the Public Policy Formulation Guidelines and Framework – the first of its kind in Nigeria – that provides a standard process for developing, implementing, and monitoring policies. We validated this framework through consultations with global think tanks and academia.

In agriculture, it has identified key policy pillars: mechanisation (tractorisation), farmer data and post-harvest management. It is working towards establishing a single national database of farmers – a one-stop shop for accurate agricultural data. Mechanisation policies are already in place, but implementation must be accelerated for optimal results.

On food imports and border management, it’s about maintaining balance. During shortages, temporary imports may be necessary to cushion the impact, but not in a way that undermines domestic production. The Ministries of Agriculture and Finance must manage this balance carefully, guided by a policy document that defines thresholds and requires periodic review.

Fertiliser regulation also remains critical – ensuring quality, availability, and affordability. We are monitoring players in that space to promote efficiency. Furthermore, there is a Presidential Initiative on post-harvest losses, creating funding pockets through a special adviser’s office. The next step is scaling these interventions for specific crops.

The office recognises that security directly affects agriculture – farmers’ access to land, markets, and transportation routes. Encouragingly, some farmlands that were previously abandoned have been reopened in the past year, though much remains to be done. All relevant actors – led by the National Security Adviser – now work collaboratively under a harmonised framework. Insecurity varies across regions: insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, and economic disruptions such as the sit-at-home orders in parts of the South-East. Each has direct economic consequences, especially for trade and agriculture.

For example, transporting agricultural produce from the North to the South is often disrupted by attacks or multiple checkpoints imposing unofficial levies. The office is developing a policy to streamline checkpoints – identifying those essential for security and those that impede commerce.

In the Niger Delta, to combat pipeline vandalism that continues to threaten oil production, the office is facilitating collaboration among the Nigerian Navy, the Office of the Upstream Adviser, and the National Security Adviser to secure critical infrastructure.

Indeed, interventions in the South-East have reduced the impact of sit-at-home orders in several local governments, allowing economic activities to gradually resume.

Among the innovations of which Hadiza is most proud is the Delivery Tracker – or Citizens’ Tracker – a public platform that publishes all ministerial deliverables. It allows every Nigerian to see what the President considers high-impact deliverables for each ministry and the indicators by which ministers are evaluated. ‘For the first time in Nigeria’s history,’ she explains, ‘this level of transparency exists in the public domain. Any citizen can now review a minister’s mandate, track progress, and ask questions.’

This tool also enables us to receive feedback from citizens – to know what they perceive as progress or gaps across sectors. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply committed to performance because he recognises that he has a social contract with Nigerians. He campaigned on a manifesto, and this tracker allows both government and citizens to measure progress not only against those campaign promises but also beyond them.

Hadiza dreams of a Nigeria that is self-sufficient, ‘a nation that can feed itself, is safe, and is both a producer and an exporter. We are blessed with abundant natural resources and dynamic, talented people. Nigeria is unique in every sense. With the right systems in place, we can become a global exporter of talent, agricultural produce, and natural resources.’

But she cautions, ‘We are on that trajectory, but we must strengthen key sectors – security, agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. We must also unlock the potential of our sports and creative economies. Nigeria’s young people are globally recognised athletes, artists, and innovators. If we nurture and scale these industries locally, the multiplier effects across the economy will be transformative.’

She urges young Nigerians to ‘understand that the government’s role is to create an enabling environment, not to employ everyone. We need to embrace entrepreneurship – to identify the problems around us and develop solutions that create value and generate income.

At the same time, we need more reform-minded Nigerians in government and politics – people passionate about public service, governance, and reform.

‘The next generation of leaders must step forward. Integrity, competence, and accountability are not optional traits – they are the foundation of effective public service. We must own who we are and lead with these values.’

Vice President Kashim Shettima and other economic stakeholders have called on African nations to deepen the adoption of Islamic finance as a tool for inclusive and sustainable economic transformation across the continent.

Represented by Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Shettima made the call while addressing delegates at the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) held in Lagos on Tuesday. The Conference was organised by the Metropolitan Law and Metropolitan Skills Limited in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria (SEC).

Speaking on the theme ‘Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook,’ the Vice President said Africa’s demographic advantage must translate into equitable prosperity, stressing that the continent’s progress will be measured not only by growth but by inclusion. He highlighted Nigeria’s recent economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as key drivers of stability and investor confidence.

Earlier, Ummahani Ahmad Amin, conference Chairperson said that AICIF was conceived as a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance Islamic finance as a viable alternative source of funding for Africa’s socio-economic needs.

She noted that while Islamic finance assets globally reached $3.88 trillion in 2024, Africa still lags behind in harnessing its full potential to close the continent’s annual infrastructure financing gap of up to $170 billion.

In his opening remarks, Mairiga Katuka, chairman, SEC said Nigeria’s non-interest capital market had grown rapidly under the Capital Market Masterplan (2015-2025), with sovereign sukuk raising over N1.4 trillion and funding 124 critical road projects nationwide.

In his remarks, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) urged Islamic finance institutions across Africa to focus more on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in underserved communities as a pathway to achieving shared prosperity and sustainable development.

Sanusi emphasised that Islamic finance can only make a meaningful impact when it directly addresses the financial exclusion faced by small businesses and vulnerable groups.

The conference, co-hosted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), brought together regulators, scholars, development partners, and investors from across the African continent.

According to Shettima, Nigeria has unified its exchange rate, rationalised subsidies, modernised tax and customs systems, and opened new gateways for trade and investment reforms, which have lifted reserves above $40 billion and earned favourable ratings from Fitch and Moody’s.

‘These outcomes reaffirm Nigeria’s position as an anchor of the AfCFTA’s $3.4 trillion market and a driver of Africa’s growth,’ he said.

The Vice President emphasised that Islamic finance provides a credible framework for promoting shared prosperity, rooted in ethics, fairness, and social responsibility.

He said Nigeria’s experience demonstrates the transformative potential of Islamic finance instruments such as sukuk, takaful, murabaha, and waqf, which have financed critical infrastructure and expanded access to inclusive financial services.

‘Our sukuk issuances, now in their seventh cycle, have funded more than 120 major road projects covering nearly 6,000 kilometres,’ Shettima noted. ‘Each bond represents a covenant between government and citizens, proof that finance can build rather than burden.’

Shettima added that takaful insurance is extending protection to millions of previously excluded households, while waqf endowments are being explored to support schools, hospitals, and small businesses.

‘Islamic finance aligns with our conviction that enterprise must serve humanity and wealth must circulate to uplift communities,’ he said.

Across Africa, Shettima observed, countries like Egypt, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa are developing regulatory frameworks for Islamic banking, green sukuk, and socially responsible investments.

By 2030, the share of Islamic finance in Africa’s capital markets is projected to expand significantly, he said, urging policymakers to sustain reforms that strengthen transparency, governance, and investor protection.

He also underscored the need to mobilise Africa’s vast domestic capital, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and insurance pools, through innovative instruments such as green sukuk and diaspora bonds.

‘Africa’s future must be financed from within, guided by principles of justice, inclusion, and sustainability,’ Shettima asserted.

Shettima concluded by urging participants to ‘build an Africa where enterprise and empathy coexist, where finance is not a privilege for the few but a promise to the many, and where every child, from Lagos to Lusaka, finds a stake in the continent’s future.’

Meanwhile, Ummahani emphasised that challenges such as limited liquidity, weak market infrastructure, and inadequate investor education must be addressed for Islamic finance to reach its potential.

‘Artificial intelligence is also reshaping finance across the continent, from automating compliance to personalising ethical investment, and we must ensure ethical guardrails guide its use,’ she said.

Katuka noted that Nigeria now has 19 registered halal mutual funds managing over N112 billion in assets, up from one fund in 2008, and pledged the SEC’s commitment to evolving regulatory frameworks for innovations such as innovative sukuk, tokenisation, and blockchain-enabled

The two-day conference also features a startup pitch competition supporting innovations in technology and social impact, as well as an awards ceremony honouring individuals and institutions contributing to the growth of Islamic finance across Africa.

‘I would be happier to see Islamic banks that are big, but more importantly, ambitious enough to grow a market that delivers real value to people and helps reduce poverty,’ Sanusi stated. ‘We need to begin now to see how we can use finance to create opportunities for the small people.’

The Emir underscored the need for Islamic financial institutions to go beyond conventional models by extending services to the grassroots, where the majority of Africa’s unbanked population resides. He called for bold strategies that bridge cultural and social barriers that have historically hindered access to finance, particularly for women.

‘Go to the grassroots, have the courage to build and connect with the cultural conceptions and attitudes that have denied women. The empowerment of women is what will contribute to prosperity in Africa,’ he added.

Sanusi reiterated that inclusive finance remains central to Africa’s economic transformation, urging Islamic finance stakeholders to leverage their principles of equity, risk-sharing, and social responsibility to foster a more just and prosperous continent.

For decades, Nigeria has styled itself as the ‘Giant of Africa’ amongst the comity of nations. A country whose oil wealth, military might, and demographic scale gave it unmatched influence across the continent. From peacekeeping in Liberia and Sierra Leone to championing the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Nigeria once held a voice of authority in global forums.

Today, however, that voice has grown faint to a large extent as flip-flops such as economic crises, insecurity at home, and policy missteps have weakened its stature. At the G20 Summit 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces a rare opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s place in the world.

The stage in Johannesburg is not just another diplomatic gathering; it is a mirror reflecting how far Nigeria has slipped and how much it must recover. South Africa sits comfortably in the G20 and BRICS, Kenya is becoming the continent’s tech hub, and Egypt is assertive on diplomacy and trade. Nigeria, meanwhile, is struggling to hold onto its traditional role as Africa’s leader.

Against this backdrop, Tinubu’s performance at the G20 is more than symbolism. It may be the pivot point for Nigeria’s global reawakening.

From giant to question mark. In the late 20th century, Nigeria’s economy was a magnet for global investors, its oil revenue made it a regional heavyweight, and its diplomacy carried weight in both Africa and the wider world. Nigerian troops were the backbone of peacekeeping in West Africa. Abuja’s position on apartheid helped tilt global sentiment toward sanctions.

The African Union and ECOWAS once looked to Nigeria for decisive leadership.

Today, the contrasts are stark. The Naira remains volatile despite the near-stable status, debt service gulps up much of government revenue, and poverty levels have deepened. Insurgencies in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and secessionist agitations in the southeast paint a picture of fragility.

Even within West Africa, Nigeria’s sway has been tested by the recent wave of military coups, with ECOWAS responses faltering.

On the global stage, Nigeria has ceded ground. South Africa enjoys institutional privileges through BRICS and G20 membership. Kenya is gaining influence through its innovation-driven diplomacy, and Egypt has carved out space in Middle Eastern and African geopolitics. Nigeria, once the ‘indispensable’ African nation, now faces questions: Can it still lead, or has it become too distracted by its internal struggles to command respect?

Despite its diminished status, Nigeria arrives at the G20 with an ambitious agenda, one that touches both domestic needs and global concerns. President Tinubu and his delegation must push forward an agenda that will deliver dividends to their citizens who are yearning for much-needed results.

Tinubu is expected to pursue bilateral deals, particularly in agriculture with Brazil, renewable energy with India, and digital economy opportunities with Western nations. Nigeria’s goal is to leverage the G20 to attract investments that align with Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

These official talking points, however, will only carry weight if they are matched by a credible domestic story. The world is not just listening to Nigeria’s wish list; it is also watching whether the government has the discipline and stability to make them real. The much-touted fiscal reforms earlier by the PBAT administration still possess the facade of elite statistical consensus without the gains permeating to the lot at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

The touchpoints that President Tinubu must address at the G20 on 22-23 November 2025 are not just about reciting policy goals. It is about answering the hard questions: what is Nigeria’s value to the world, and why should anyone listen?

To restore Nigeria’s voice, he must address several critical gaps. It’s a pity that Nigeria lacks diplomatic representation therein, as ambassadors have not been posted offshore for the past two years and counting. This drawback has created a huge vacuum on the international stage for Nigeria, and if the comity of nations must take us seriously, this lacuna must be addressed at the speed of light.

In a nutshell, why it matters for all and sundry. Many Nigerians dismiss international summits as elite pageantry, far removed from daily struggles. Yet the G20 matters, as decisions on global taxation, debt relief, and climate financing affect whether Nigeria has fiscal space to fund schools and hospitals.

Partnerships forged at the G20 can bring in agricultural technologies that boost food supply and lower prices. Tinubu’s performance abroad also influences investor confidence (the jury is still out, though, on the ROI of his over forty-three trips abroad so far), which in turn shapes jobs, the naira, and inflation.

In short, the G20 is not about handshakes on a stage; it is about whether policies abroad can ease the suffering at home. Nigerians will judge Tinubu not by the number of meetings he attends, but by whether life becomes more bearable after the summit. It’s not a sprint, though; it’s a marathon to address these HDI parameters across the board.

At this juncture, Nigeria stands at a crossroads as the G20 Summit offers President Tinubu a global stage to reclaim Nigeria’s fading mantle as Africa’s giant. To do so, he must speak with clarity, act with discipline, and deliver results beyond rhetoric.

The world has heard Nigeria’s boasts before; what it now demands is proof. If Tinubu rises to the occasion, the G20 could mark the beginning of Nigeria’s renewal. If he falls short, the summit may reinforce the perception that the once mighty giant is now just a shadow of itself – watched, but no longer heard.

Telecommunications giant, Globacom has introduced a new suite of tariff packages that combine both voice and data services, further expanding its product portfolio and reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s most value-driven mobile network.

The new offering, dubbed ‘Glo Collabo Bundles,’ merges two of the most essential mobile needs, talk time and data, into single, affordable plans designed to deliver greater convenience and savings for users.

‘With Glo Collabo Bundles, we have once again reaffirmed our reputation as Nigeria’s most value-driven network, empowering millions with flexible, affordable, and innovative solutions to stay connected anytime, anywhere,’ the company said in a statement.

The launch underscores Globacom’s ongoing push to improve access and affordability in Nigeria’s competitive telecom market, where consumers are increasingly seeking bundles that simplify costs amid rising economic pressures.

Under the new structure, subscribers can choose from a range of options starting from N500, which provides 10 all-network minutes and 450MB of data valid for seven days. Higher tiers include the N1,000 plan (20 minutes and 1.25GB), N1,500 plan (30 minutes and 1.85GB), and the N2,000 plan offering 40 minutes and 3GB, valid for 30 days.

According to the company, the Collabo Bundles deliver remarkable savings compared to purchasing voice and data separately. ‘Voice minutes can be used for all local networks, while data works seamlessly across all apps and platforms from social media and streaming to everyday browsing’, Glo said.

Globacom also highlighted added flexibility features, including data rollover when renewed before expiry and the option for users to purchase multiple bundles simultaneously, with validity extending to the longest active plan.

Stocks trading on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed October 2025 on a bullish note. Though rising by 8 percent, the market’s gain in October was moderated by investors who reduced their exposure in banking stocks.

October performance weighed down by banking stocks.

In ten months to October, the stock market All Share Index recorded a positive return of 49.74 percent while the NGX Banking Index underperformed the market with a negative return of 3.15 percent.

Designed to provide an investable benchmark to capture the performance of the banking sector, NGX Banking Index comprises the most capitalised and liquid companies in banking.

‘The performance during the month (October) was largely weighed down by the banking sector, as investors reduced exposure following the release of nine months earnings. Among the tier-1 names, Zenith Bank recorded the steepest decline (- 8.70 percent month-on-month), followed by GTCO (-4.69 percent), and Access Holdings (-4.68 percent),’ said Lagos-based Vetiva Research analysts.

While NGX Banking Index was the only laggard in October, other key sectoral indices closed the review month in green. NGX Consumer Goods Index (+4.85 percent), NGX Industrial Index (+17.50 percent), NGX Insurance Index (+3.37 percent), and NGX Oil and Gas Index (+15.45 percent).

Stakeholders comment.

Temi Popoola, GMD/CEO of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), stated, ‘The consistent market performance we are witnessing reflects a renewed sense of confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.

‘The combination of strong corporate earnings, improving liquidity conditions, and credible policy actions has provided a more predictable environment for investors. At NGX Group, we remain focused on deepening the ecosystem’s resilience and positioning our market as a platform for sustainable long-term growth,’ Popoola said.

Jude Chiemeka, CEO, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) noted, ‘The October rally highlights the depth of investor engagement across sectors. Our priority remains to enhance market efficiency and ensure the Exchange remains a credible reflection of Nigeria’s economic resilience.’

Behold the drivers of key sectors performance .

The market’s advance was broad-based, with most sectors closing in positive territory. The Industrial Goods sector was the standout performer, soaring 17.5percent to 5,955.8 points. Heavyweights like Dangote Cement (+25.69percent), BUA Cement (+12.5percent), and Lafarge Africa (+11.91percent) led the charge.

The Oil and Gas index recorded its strongest monthly gain of the year, rising 15.45percent. The rally was fuelled by firm crude oil prices and robust company earnings, with Aradel Holdings (+27.15percent) and Seplat Energy (+10percent) as key drivers. Meanwhile, the Consumer Goods sector extended its winning streak to a seventh consecutive month, advancing 4.85percent. BUA Foods, the bourse’s largest listed company, rose 9.97percent, while PZ Cussons Nigeria (+20.29percent) and Vitafoam Nigeria (+17.79percent) also posted significant gains.

The Insurance index climbed 3.37percent, supported by strong performances from Sovereign Trust Insurance (+30percent) and AIICO Insurance (+11.71percent). In a contrasting move, the Banking Index was the sole laggard, dipping 3.15percent as sell-offs in major tier-one lenders outweighed gains from others like Wema Bank (+20.29percent).

October as second-best performing month.

The NGX All-Share Index rose from 142,713.1 points at the start of the month to 154,126.4 points at the close, with more than 12 billion shares exchanged. October ranked as the second-best performing month of the year, behind July’s 16.57 per cent surge.

The market has returned 49.74 percent year-to-date, with the second half alone contributing 28.46 percent. Except for a modest 1.99 percent pullback in March, every other month in 2025 has ended in positive territory, demonstrating the market’s resilience amid shifting global and domestic dynamics.

The Initiates Plc (TIP), the only listed and leading Nigerian environmental and waste management solutions company, recently held the official signing ceremony and Facts Behind the Combined Offer.

The Combined Offer comprises a Rights Issue of 177,996,310 ordinary shares of N0.50 each at a Right Price of N7 per share, and a Public Offer of 932,022,138 ordinary shares of N0.50 each at N9.50 per share.

The events marked a key milestone in the company’s capital-raising journey, aimed at supporting its strategic expansion and strengthening its operational capacity in the environmental services industry in line with its plan to consolidate in the hazardous waste and goal of entering the public waste.

Speaking at the Fact Behind the Combined Offer, Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer of NGX Regulation, ‘What we have seen today. I mean all of that was clearly articulated, they have a very strong performance metrics and have done very well as a growth board listed company.

‘From what we’ve heard today, they do have aspiration to move on to the main board of the exchange which stands at N4 billion. We’re really delighted that they came 9 years ago and now they are coming back to utilize the market. It just testifies to the strength of our market’

Whilst speaking during both events, Joe Anosikeh, Board Chairman of The Initiates Plc expressed optimism about the combined offer, noting that it represents a major step in the company’s long-term vision of scaling up operations, driving innovation, and delivering greater value to shareholders.

He said: ‘Today’s signing is more than a financial milestone – it reflects our confidence in the Nigerian capital market and our commitment to sustainable value creation.

‘The proceeds from this offer will enable us to deepen our service capacity, expand our reach, and continue to uphold the highest standards in environmental and industrial management’.

In his remarks, Reuben Mustapha Ossai, Managing Director, The Initiates highlighted that the hybrid offer aligns with TIP’s growth trajectory and will enable the company to consolidate its position as a leader in sustainable waste management and industrial solutions across Nigeria and West Africa.

‘This combined offer is a strategic initiative that reinforces our growth agenda. We are focused on expanding our asset base, investing in technology, and enhancing shareholder value. We appreciate the support of our partners and regulators as we move into this next phase of our journey,’ he said.

He added that the Initiates will continue to reward its shareholders for their trust and unflinching support.

The Initiates ended Q3 2025 as one of the top 3 most performing stocks on the NGX with capital appreciation in excess of 480 percent.

Technology firms (InsurTechs) are working to secure the approval of the National Insurance Commissions (NAICOM) to drive insurance products in Nigeria.

So far, Mp-Platform Ltd, Insurance Hub Nig. Ltd, and P2Vest Tech Ltd have already secured approvals, while CBI Insuretech Limited and WRAPA Insuretech Limited have just applied for licences.

The firms plan to leverage the provisions of the Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, which allows tech partners to work with insurance companies for better product distribution and penetration.

The firms are applying to be licensed as web aggregators to sell insurance products.

Insurance web aggregators are digital platforms that provide comparisons of products from multiple providers. Regulated by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), they ensure transparency, fair representation, and accurate information to help consumers make informed insurance choices online.

Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of State for Finance, said during the West African Insurance Companies (WAICA) Education Conference in Nigeria that insurance will achieve its true impact only when it reaches everyone, including farmers, market women, artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs.

Anite said Nigeria must promote micro-insurance, digital channels, and parametric products that pay out instantly based on verified data.

‘By doing so, we expand coverage, deepen financial inclusion, and strengthen resilience at the grassroots, which remain a priority of the Federal Ministry of Finance.’

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) recently issued operational guidelines for Insurtech businesses in Nigeria, following extensive stakeholder consultation and engagement.

The guidelines, effective from August 1, 2025, are designed to provide a clear and unified regulatory framework for the licensing, operations, and supervision of Insurtech firms in Nigeria.

Olusegun Omosehin, commissioner for Insurance, said the coming into effect of the NIIRA 2025 marks a significant milestone, providing a modern and robust framework that enables the nation to drive innovation, enhance supervision, and prioritise consumer protection.

‘The NIIRA is indeed a transformative catalyst that fosters an enabling environment that sparks innovation, facilitating the development of novel products, testing of cutting-edge distribution channels and elevating consumer protection to unprecedented heights,’ he said.

The Insuretech guidelines, NAICOM said, aims to foster innovation that can lead to the development of new and innovative insurance products and services, while ensuring consumer protection and improving consumer experience.

The key objectives of the guidelines include: promoting the growth and development of Insurtech in Nigeria; establishing regulatory standards for Insurtech setup and operations; encouraging responsible innovation while safeguarding consumer interests; defining general product features specific to Insurtech; providing a licensing structure for both partnering and standalone insurtech firms; facilitating the transition of eligible operators into fully licensed standalone insurtech entities, while supporting Nigeria’s broader digital economy and fintech ecosystem.

Partnering insurtechs are only permitted to transact specific classes of insurance in collaboration with licensed insurers, while standalone insurtechs are permitted to transact the categories of insurance as may be specified in its license, excluding special risk products such as oil and gas insurance, marine and aviation insurance, retirement life annuity, and insurances of government assets and liabilities for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Insurtech firms must comply with provisions related to risk management, investment practices, actuarial standards, outsourcing, and other key operational parameters as detailed in the commission’s prudential guidelines, NAICOM said.

Meanwhile, all existing insurance institutions and insurtech firms operating under any arrangement classified as insurtech had until end of September 2025 to have fully complied with the guidelines within 30 days of the effective date.

Nigeria’s insurance industry gross written premium rose to a record high of N1.213 trillion in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, indicating a 49.3 percent growth rate compared to the same period in 2024.

Total asset of the industry also grew to about N4.4 trillion in Q2, compared to the N2.3 trillion reported in the corresponding period of 2024.

Football fans are in for another treat – the Champions League will bring several exciting matches. Especially for you, the best sports betting site 1xBet has made a preview of the most interesting games.

The main thing to remember is that betting is a source of excitement, not a way to make money.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid, November 4

After a successful start to the season, Liverpool hit a rough patch, losing several games in a row. But the crushing away victory over Eintracht Frankfurt (5-1) in the previous Champions League round showed that Arne Slot’s team shouldn’t be written off just yet. Besides, the Merseysidersconfidently defeated the Meringues at home last year and beat another Madrid giant, Atlético, in the current campaign.

That’s why the English champions are the favorites in the match at Anfield. What could stop Liverpool? The Reds will push forward, while Real Madrid, with the incredible Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in their ranks, are very dangerous on the counterattack. Barcelona found this out the hard way when they lost the first El Clásico of the season.

Odds: W1 – 2.338, X – 4.02, W2 – 2.95

Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich, November 4

This will be the battle between the tournament leaders, who haven’t lost a single point so far. What’s more, Bayern have won all their matches this season, while PSG have already stumbled three times in Ligue 1, although they’re still at the top. The reigning champions are showing their best football in the Champions League, where they’ve managed to defeat Barcelona away and score 11 goals against Atalanta and Leverkusen.

Looking at the odds, the Bavarians seem to be the underdogs. But the German champions have Harry Kane, who has already scored 20 goals in all competitions this season, so you need to be very careful when betting against them.

Odds: W1 – 2.265, X – 4.18, W2 – 2.95

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund, November 5

Man City are the clear favorites in the upcoming home game. But the Citizens are very dependent on Erling Haaland: if the Norwegian doesn’t score, the team starts to struggle. Will Borussia be able to stop their former star? That’s the main intrigue of the match.

However, Man City will also find it difficult to stop Guirassy, Adeyemi and other attacking players of Niko Kovac’s team. In each of the previous three rounds, Borussia scored 4 goals, and only Juventus managed to evade defeat thanks to impressive willpower and incredible luck.

Odds: W1 – 1.44, X – 5.15, W2 – 7.85

Use this preview from the best sports betting site to make successful predictions for these and other Champions League matches. The number of markets for top games can reach several thousand, so both experienced bettors and beginners will find options that suit them. Place bets on 1xBet and win with your favorite teams in the coolest tournaments!