Business Report

 By Sama Odiah Stakeholders in Africa’s education and technology sectors have called for urgent reforms in talent development, warning that technical skills alone may no longer be sufficient for employability in a rapidly evolving digital economy driven by artificial intelligence. The concerns were raised at the TriTek Academy EdTech Summit held in Lagos on May 16, 2026, under the theme, “Redefining Education for a Digital Africa.” The summit, organised by founder of TriTek Academy, Dr. Adeshola Cole, brought together educators, HR professionals, tech specialists, marketers, founders, policy advocates, and young professionals to discuss the widening gap between technical training and workplace relevance across Africa’s growing technology ecosystem. The event also had in attendance Her Royal Majesty, Queen Ashley Afolasade Ojaja Ogunwusi FCA Yeye Oodua, whose presence reinforced conversations around youth empowerment, education, leadership, and the future of African talent developme...

On the 23rd of May, what began as an intimate literary gathering evolved into a defining moment for Nigeria’s creative and publishing industry. At The Zone, Gbagada, Lagos, celebrated young author and creative entrepreneur The Abisola Olowe (TAO) officially launched her 12th book in three years, The Book of Prophecy, before an audience of readers, creatives, intellectuals, friends, family, and lovers of literature. Widely recognized for her consistency, versatility, and thought provoking writing, TAO has built a growing reputation through books centered on leadership, purpose, relationships, personal development, and poetry.  The Book of Prophecy marks her third poetry collection and further expands her growing body of literary work. The event featured poetry readings, reflections, conversations around creativity and culture, and heartfelt moments between the author and members of her literary community. Yet beyond the celebration of another book release, the evening carried someth...

 By James Ivuka Every big startup starts with an idea. Sometimes it’s just a thought in your notes app. Sometimes it’s a side project you’ve been quietly working on. And sometimes, all you really need is the right support to finally take that next step. That’s what iHatch Cohort 5 is about. The Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), an initiative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has officially opened applications for iHatch Cohort 5, a programme designed to support early-stage startup founders across Nigeria. Whether you’re still shaping your idea or already building your MVP, iHatch is built to help founders move from “trying to figure it out” to actually building with structure, guidance, and community support. So, What Exactly Is iHatch? iHatch is more than just another startup programme. It’s a founder-focused incubation experience created to help early-stage innovators learn, connect, build, and grow within Nigeria’s innovation ecosyst...

 A landmark step toward a clearer, safer path for innovation, regulators, and ecosystem builders align to accelerate Nigeria's digital future. Nigeria's innovation landscape reached a defining milestone: on the 21st of May 2026, the Director General of NITDA, represented by Ag. Director of Regulation and Compliance - Barrister Emmanuel Edet, officially inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) established to support the implementation of the National Regulatory Sandbox. The National Regulatory Sandbox is a structured, multi-agency, and sector-agnostic framework designed to enable the controlled testing of innovative products, services, and business models within a supervised regulatory environment. Led by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under NITDA, the Sandbox seeks to strengthen inter-agency coordination, reduce regulatory fragmentation, support evidence-based policy development, and create safer pathways for responsible innovation across sectors includi...

   Nigerian certified coach, Ikwo Essien, has emphasized the importance of structure and sustainable self-care for ambitious women, stating that many women do not suffer from lack of ambition but from the absence of systems that support their goals without leading to burnout. Speaking during a recent interview, Ikwo explained that her passion for coaching and entrepreneurship was born from personal experiences with exhaustion and the pressure to constantly work harder in pursuit of success. “Most people don’t have an ambition problem, they have a structure problem and that’s where I come in. I help ambitious women create sustainable self-care systems so they can thrive without burnout,” she said. According to her, society has normalized burnout, especially among women, making exhaustion appear like a badge of honour. She noted that many high-achieving women struggle to balance ambition with family, personal lives and societal expectations  Ikwo revealed that her coaching ...

  Victory Lawrence Oyeyemi's debut, 'In Pursuit of Her,' addresses healing, identity, purpose, and womanhood. An accountant turned author, Victory Lawrence Oyeyemi, has sold over 500 copies of her debut book, In Pursuit of Her, within one week of its official launch, organisers have confirmed. The book was unveiled on May 9th at Waterside, Lekki Phase 1, before a gathering of women from various backgrounds. According to witnesses, the venue was filled, and the atmosphere reflected strong interest in the book's central themes. Vicctory, who is trained as an accountant, described the book as a deeply personal project shaped by her own journey of healing, self-discovery, and the determination to move beyond survival-mode living. Speaking after the launch, she said the goal of In Pursuit of Her is to inspire young women to embrace continuous growth, healing, and self-discovery rather than merely existing or coping with life passively. The book explores several themes, inclu...

“Stop Counting Views, Start Counting Money”: eTheater CEO God'sgift Irabor Partners with Indian Tech Powerhouse to Unveil the Electronic Box Office and Return Power to the Architects of Cinema. The Nigerian film industry, currently producing thousands of titles annually, is entering what industry insiders are calling its “Dark Age” of distribution. Despite massive global demand, filmmakers are seeing their margins decimated by traditional cinema cuts, tax complexities, and flat-fee streaming deals that fail to reward success. Today, eTheater is announcing a structural revolution: the Electronic Theater™ (eTheater). A new category of digital distribution, eTheater is designed to give filmmakers a direct-to-audience pipeline, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers that have historically controlled the power and the profits of African cinema. “Distribution is neutral; whoever controls it controls power,” says the CEO of eTheater. “Filmmakers take the biggest risk and currently own the ...

  Kingsway Estate, located in Ala-Ijebu, Ijebu East LGA of Ogun State, is rapidly emerging as one of the most strategic real estate investment destinations in Southwestern Nigeria. Positioned within a fast-developing economic corridor, the estate offers a blend of affordability, accessibility, and long term capital appreciation for forward-thinking investors. Strategically situated within proximity to key growth drivers, Kingsway Estate benefits from its closeness to major infrastructure projects shaping Ogun State’s future. One of the most significant is the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, a world class agro-cargo and passenger facility designed to boost trade, logistics, and regional connectivity across the Southwest. This airport alone is expected to accelerate land value appreciation across adjoining towns, including Ijebu axis communities. The estate is also positioned within reach of major development hubs such as Alaro City, Epe industrial corridor, Lagos Food Logist...

 The Nigerian-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) successfully organized a “Walk for Mental Health Awareness” as part of activities marking Mental Health Month, reinforcing its commitment to promoting not only economic ties but also social well-being. The event, held on Saturday, 2nd May 2026, at The Aisle Residence, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos, Nigeria, brought together participants from diverse backgrounds, including business professionals, health advocates, and members of the public. The day’s activities commenced with a comprehensive medical check-up and vital signs screening facilitated by Remed Healthcare, providing participants with the opportunity to assess key health indicators and reinforcing the importance of preventive healthcare as part of overall well-being.  Following this, participants engaged in a pre-walk work out session led by Kayinsola Alabi and her team from Sweatbox, ensuring everyone was properly warmed up and energized for the walk. The awarene...

 Cash giveaways have become a major part of Nigeria’s digital culture, especially across social media, creator communities and online campaigns. But despite their popularity, distributing money to multiple people can still be stressful, time-consuming and disorganized. Supacash is looking to change that. The fintech platform has introduced a Giveaways feature that allows users to fund a giveaway once and let recipients claim their share directly themselves. Instead of manually sending money to dozens or hundreds of people one after another, Supacash simplifies the entire process into a more automated and scalable experience. The feature is part of Supacash’s broader ecosystem, which includes transfers, bill payments, group wallets and social saving tools designed around community-driven finance. The use cases for Giveaways go far beyond social media trends. Content creators can reward followers during campaigns or livestreams. Brands can run promotional activations more efficiently...

A 28-year-old Nigerian petroleum engineer, Uzoma JohnPaul Ajugwe, is drawing attention for research exploring a safer and more environmentally conscious approach to crude oil drilling, as conversations around sustainable oil production continue to grow within Nigeria’s energy sector. Ajugwe, alongside researchers from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), developed a study focused on creating environmentally friendly oil-based drilling mud using plant-derived oils such as almond oil, castor oil, and groundnut oil as alternatives to conventional diesel-based drilling fluids commonly used during crude oil exploration. The research comes at a time when environmental accountability is becoming increasingly important within the global oil and gas industry. Across oil-producing nations, energy stakeholders are under growing pressure to reduce the environmental impact associated with extraction activities while maintaining operational efficiency. In Nigeria, those concerns rema...

 Former Amazon analyst, Olachi Gogo Achonwa, has officially launched Elchiztrixx, a business intelligence and data visualization startup designed to help Nigerian businesses transform raw data into clear, actionable insights. Achonwa, who previously worked with global tech giant Amazon in the United States, recently returned to Nigeria after participating in the company’s voluntary separation programme. She reportedly used her severance package to establish Elchiztrixx, a platform focused on simplifying data analysis for businesses across Africa. The newly launched platform allows users to upload CSV or Excel files through a simple drag-and-drop process and instantly generate visual dashboards and analytics, helping organizations make faster and smarter business decisions. Speaking on the inspiration behind the startup, Achonwa explained that her passion for data visualization started during her studies at University of New Haven, where a classroom experience introduced her to the ...

    A new force in African fashion has emerged with the launch of  Fresh Models , a  Lagos -based modeling agency and training academy founded by international model and creative entrepreneur  Francis Polo , also known as  Fresh Pepper . Positioned at the intersection of talent development and global opportunity, Fresh Models aims to redefine industry standards in  Nigeria  by building a pipeline of world-class models equipped for both local and international markets. “Fresh Models was created to bridge the gap between raw talent in Nigeria and the structure required to compete globally,” said Polo. “We’re not just signing models—we’re developing them with intention, discipline, and a clear understanding of the industry.” Operating out of Lagos, the agency combines representation with hands-on training through its academy, offering aspiring models access to professional development in runway, posing, and industry knowledge—an approach still relati...

  By Hala Jacob The Chief Executive Officer of DK Homes, Engr. Nnamdi Ngonadi, has described Lagos as “one big construction site,” citing the city’s growing population and persistent housing deficit as key drivers of demand in the real estate sector. “Lagos is one big construction site,” Ngonadi said. “Demand has always been higher than supply here, and that’s not changing anytime soon.” According to him, the opportunity in Lagos real estate is unlike anything else in Nigeria, noting that the market continues to expand despite its challenges. Lagos, with over 20 million people spread across about 3,500 square kilometers, currently faces a housing deficit of 3.4 million units, a gap that continues to widen yearly. Ngonadi, who is from Nnewi, Anambra State, studied Electrical Electronics Engineering, a background he said shaped his approach to development with a focus on structure and method. Before founding DK Homes, he was established in the mobile phone trade and also had involvem...

By Theresa Aisha Nigeria’s event industry has grown on the back of speed and resilience. Tight timelines, demanding clients, and high expectations have created a culture where professionals pride themselves on delivering under pressure. In many cases, this ability to “make things work” has become the standard. This culture has produced results. It has also created limitations. Across the industry, many businesses operate in what can be described as a hustle model. Work is secured through constant outreach. Execution relies on last-minute coordination. Growth is driven by effort rather than structure. While this approach can sustain early-stage businesses, it becomes difficult to maintain as demand increases. Architect and business strategist Theresa Aisha Mebitaghan, known as Tessie, believes the industry has reached a point where this model is no longer sufficient. “Hustle can get you started,” she says. “It cannot build a business that lasts.” The core issue is not talent. Nigerian e...

 By Alpha Mead Team In many Nigerian homes and office buildings, there is a common phrase people say when something begins to spoil: “Let’s manage it for now.” The leaking pipe is ignored. The generator that needs servicing is postponed. The crack in the wall is overlooked. The air-conditioning system that makes strange noises is left to “manage.” At first glance, these decisions seem harmless. After all, postponing repairs seems like a practical way to save money today. But what many property owners, landlords, and facility managers fail to realize is that deferred maintenance is one of the most expensive decisions anyone responsible for a building can make. Across Nigeria’s residential and commercial real estate sector, this quiet habit of postponing maintenance is costing property owners billions of naira every year. And the most dangerous part is that the cost is often invisible until the damage becomes too large to ignore. The Slow Damage Nobody Notices Deferred maintenance si...

  By Ayodele Oyeniyi Africoin, a blockchain-powered real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform, has been admitted into the Virtual Asset Regulatory Sandbox under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), marking a key milestone in the expansion of regulated asset-backed digital investment infrastructure across Africa. Africoin operates as a compliant digital marketplace that enables the tokenization, fractional ownership, and trading of verified real-world assets, including commodities, agricultural products, renewable energy projects, and carbon credits. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform connects asset issuers, investors, and regulators within a transparent ecosystem designed to improve access to capital and enhance market efficiency. Admission into the SEC Ghana Virtual Asset Regulatory Sandbox places Africoin among a select group of digital asset platforms operating under regulatory supervision. Africoin is one of only 11 approved virtual asset participants...

 By John Koma Joint plan builds on 24,000 AI-interpreted rapid diagnostic tests, more than 7 million individual patient responses, and 4.5 billion pharmaceutical traceability records already in operation across Nigeria’s PPMV and community pharmacy network LAGOS, Nigeria, Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Sproxil have agreed a joint plan to scale artificial intelligence tools across the country’s private sector malaria response, building on a workflow already operational at thousands of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor (PPMV) and community pharmacy sites. The agreement was reached at a strategic meeting in Lagos days before World Malaria Day 2026. Nigeria carries close to a third of the world’s malaria mortality burden, and the private sector handles most first-contact care for febrile illness. Building accurate visibility into what happens at that point of care has been a long-standing gap in the national response. That visibility is taking shape at...

 By Godfrey Abey Subtext: BoredHippo's founder David Munam makes the business case for content strategy as a core growth asset, not a marketing afterthought In the competitive sector of FinTech and Web3, product quality is rarely the deciding factor in whether a startup succeeds or fails in its early growth phases.  According to David Munam, founder of BoredHippo — a content agency serving FinTech, AI, Web3, and blockchain brands, the more common deciding factor is far simpler: how clearly a company communicates what it does. "I have worked with technically exceptional products that were struggling with single-digit onboarding completion rates," Munam says. "In most of those cases, the product wasn't the issue. The copy on the website was written for engineers, whitepaper was structured like a technical specification document, and the email onboarding sequence talked about features rather than outcomes. Users and investors arrived, couldn't immediately grasp ...