One Million Digital Trainees: The Numbers Behind FG’s Biggest Skills Bet Yet

Nigeria’s plan to train and certify one million citizens in digital and emerging technology skills is unfolding against a backdrop of urgent demographic and economic realities. With one of the youngest populations in the world and a rapidly digitising global economy, the initiative is less a policy experiment and more a necessary recalibration of national priorities.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 25, while youth unemployment and underemployment remain persistently high. At the same time, global estimates from the World Economic Forum show that more than 85 million jobs could go unfilled worldwide by 2030 due to skills shortages, many of them digital and Nigeria is positioning itself to close part of that gap.

Nigeria’s Digital Skills Gap by the Numbers

Despite strong mobile penetration, Nigeria still faces a significant digital literacy shortfall. UNICEF estimates that fewer than half of Nigerian youths possess basic digital skills, while advanced competencies such as coding, data analysis, cybersecurity, and digital design remain limited to a small segment of the population.

The Federal Government’s target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 is therefore ambitious. To put this into perspective, reaching one million trainees represents a major acceleration compared to previous skills programmes, many of which operated in the tens of thousands rather than hundreds of thousands.

Why One Million Matters

Training one million Nigerians is not an arbitrary figure. At scale, it begins to influence labour-market outcomes. Research by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) suggests that every 10 per cent increase in digital skills adoption can lead to productivity gains of up to 3-4 per cent in developing economies.

For Nigeria, even modest productivity improvements across sectors such as services, creative industries, fintech, e-commerce, and public administration could translate into billions of naira in added economic value annually.

A Funding Model with Measurable Implications

Unlike many previous government-led skills initiatives, this programme is fully funded and implemented by Clergywealth Cooperative Society Limited, with the Federal Government providing policy backing and coordination.

This structure matters. Public-private delivery models have been shown by World Bank development reports to reduce rollout delays by up to 30 per cent compared to fully state-funded programmes, particularly in large, decentralised countries. For Nigeria, where execution speed often determines impact, this model could prove decisive.

The Future Proof Economy (FPE) Framework in Practice

The adoption of the Future Proof Economy (FPE) model as the national framework for digital literacy delivery reflects a shift away from static training curricula. The FPE approach emphasises adaptability, continuous upskilling, and relevance to emerging job markets.

Globally, McKinsey estimates that up to 50 per cent of today’s work activities could be automated by 2030. Training Nigerians only for today’s tools would limit long-term impact; training them to adapt to new technologies expands economic resilience.

Inclusion as a Growth Multiplier

The programme’s prioritisation of youths, women, underserved communities, and persons with disabilities carries measurable economic significance. Data from the World Bank shows that closing gender gaps in digital access alone could increase GDP in developing economies by up to 1.5 per cent annually.

In Nigeria’s case, improving digital inclusion in rural and marginalised communities could unlock new labour pools, expand digital entrepreneurship, and strengthen regional economies that have historically been excluded from high-growth sectors.

Coordination at Scale: Why Governance Will Matter

The Joint Implementation Committee brings together representatives from multiple ministries, agencies such as NITDA and TETFund, state governments, ICT professionals, and civil society. Large-scale skills programmes globally succeed or fail on coordination.

OECD studies indicate that multi-stakeholder governance structures improve programme completion rates by up to 20 per cent when monitoring, evaluation, and reporting are clearly defined. The committee’s mandate to oversee performance tracking will therefore be central to credibility and outcomes.

What Success Will Look Like in Measurable Terms

The real indicators of success will extend beyond enrolment figures. Key metrics will include:

•Completion and certification rates

•Regional and gender distribution of beneficiaries

•Employment outcomes within 6–12 months of training

•Growth in digital startups and freelance participation

•Adoption of digital tools in SMEs and public services

If even a fraction of the one million trainees transition into higher-value digital roles, the ripple effects across income levels, innovation, and tax revenues could be substantial.

The Bigger Picture

This initiative signals a shift in how Nigeria is investing in growth: from physical assets alone to human capital at scale. In a global economy where talent increasingly determines competitiveness, training one million Nigerians in digital skills is not just timel,it is strategic.

If execution matches ambition, the programme could redefine Nigeria’s workforce profile, strengthen its digital economy, and reinforce its position as a leading source of digital talent in Africa.

Gold as Strategy: Why Kian Smith’s ₦21bn LCFE Listing Matters

Nigeria’s commodities market is quietly entering a new phase, and gold is emerging as one of its most strategic assets. Kian Smith FZE’s decision to list more than ₦21 billion worth of gold bars on the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) is not just another transaction, it is a signal of growing confidence in structured commodities trading and the country’s ability to host globally compliant precious metal instruments.

The listing will begin with 100 kilograms of gold, segmented into 1kg London Bullion Market Association certified bars. However, the real innovation lies in how the product is structured. Rather than limiting participation to large-ticket investors, the gold will be tradable in fractions as small as 100 grams. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry and broadens participation across retail and institutional investors seeking exposure to hard assets.

From a market design perspective, the transaction reflects an increasing emphasis on transparency, custody, and risk management. Each gold bar is insured, independently verified, and stored in professionally managed vaults, addressing long-standing concerns around authenticity, storage, and counterparty risk that have historically constrained gold trading in Nigeria’s informal markets. Listing the gold on an organised exchange further introduces price discovery, standardisation, and regulatory oversight, key ingredients for scaling commodities markets.

Timing also plays a crucial role in the attractiveness of the offering. Gold has sustained a long-term upward valuation trajectory, reinforcing its position as a hedge against inflation, currency volatility, and global economic uncertainty. Prices have climbed from around $1,800 per ounce in 2000 to approximately $4,450 today, with market forecasts projecting further upside toward the $5,000–$6,000 range within the year. In this context, structured access to gold becomes less of a speculative play and more of a portfolio stabilisation strategy.

The transaction also highlights the evolving maturity of Nigeria’s financial infrastructure. The integration of a compliant supply chain, an exchange-based trading platform, and a regulated banking settlement process demonstrates how commodities can be embedded into the broader capital market framework. This alignment is particularly important for attracting institutional capital, which typically demands clear governance, custody assurance, and settlement certainty before allocating funds to alternative assets.

Beyond gold itself, the listing has wider implications for Nigeria’s solid minerals agenda. Successful execution could pave the way for similar listings across other mineral assets, helping to formalise trading, improve investor confidence, and deepen liquidity in the commodities ecosystem. It also strengthens Nigeria’s positioning as a regional hub for structured commodities trading, capable of hosting globally benchmarked instruments.

In many ways, Kian Smith’s LCFE listing represents a shift in how value is created and accessed in the Nigerian market, from informal commodity holding to regulated, investment-grade participation. As capital increasingly searches for resilient assets, gold’s re-entry into the spotlight through a structured exchange platform may mark the beginning of a more sophisticated era for commodities investing in the country.

Super Eagles cruise past Mozambique 4–0, march into AFCON quarter-finals.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles delivered one of the most authoritative performances of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Monday night, dismantling Mozambique 4–0 in the Round of 16 to book a confident place in the quarter-finals.

The Super Eagles set the tone early, combining intensity with composure. Their dominance paid off in the 20th minute when Ademola Lookman opened the scoring, finishing clinically to cap a sustained spell of Nigerian pressure. The goal unsettled Mozambique and allowed Nigeria to fully impose their rhythm on the contest.

Victor Osimhen soon took centre stage. The Napoli striker doubled Nigeria’s advantage before half-time, rewarding the team’s aggressive pressing and fluid attacking movement. Moments after the restart, Osimhen struck again, converting calmly to effectively end the contest and underline Nigeria’s attacking efficiency.

Nigeria were not done, with Mozambique stretched and chasing the game, substitute Akor Adams sealed the rout in the 75th minute, completing a performance that blended ruthless finishing with tactical discipline.

Beyond the scoreline, the victory carried significant weight. Nigeria’s four-goal margin is the largest win recorded at the 2025 AFCON so far, making the Super Eagles the first team in this edition to score four goals in a single match. The result also lifted Nigeria’s tally to 12 goals in four matches, the highest total in the tournament at this stage, while preserving a flawless record of four wins from four.

Defensively, the match marked an important milestone. Nigeria kept their first clean sheet of the tournament, a reflection of improved organisation and concentration at the back. The Super Eagles also extended a remarkable scoring run, having now found the net in every AFCON match they have played this decade, reinforcing their reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable attacking sides.

The growing understanding between Osimhen and Lookman stood out once again, with both players continuing to rank among the tournament’s most influential attackers. Their chemistry has become a defining feature of Nigeria’s campaign, combining pace, power, and intelligent movement.

Mozambique, appearing in the AFCON knockout stages for the first time, showed moments of resilience but were ultimately outmatched by Nigeria’s quality, depth, and experience.

With this emphatic win, the Super Eagles now turn their attention to a quarter-final clash against either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo, as they continue their pursuit of a fourth AFCON title. 

On current form, Nigeria are not just progressing, they are setting the standard. 

Flutterwave acquires open banking startup Mono in strategic fintech expansion

Flutterwave’s acquisition of Nigerian open-banking company Mono represents a deliberate bet on the future architecture of Africa’s financial system, one built not just on payments, but on data, trust, and deeply integrated infrastructure. The deal, completed through an all-stock transaction valued between $25 million and $40 million, received majority approval from Mono’s shareholders and board, underscoring broad internal confidence in the strategic direction.

Finalised in December 2025 and subject to standard regulatory approvals for regulated entities, the transaction brings together two companies that have shaped different but complementary layers of Africa’s fintech stack. Flutterwave has grown into one of the continent’s most widely used payments platforms, powering transactions for businesses ranging from small merchants to large enterprises across multiple markets. Mono, on the other hand, has focused on what happens beneath the surface: secure access to bank accounts, financial data, identity signals, and direct bank-to-bank payment rails.

Rather than folding Mono into its operations, Flutterwave is keeping it as an independent entity, with no disruption to existing services, partners, or customers. Mono’s leadership and product roadmap remain intact, a structure designed to preserve the company’s speed and developer-first culture while allowing its infrastructure to scale through Flutterwave’s network. Both companies have indicated that the combination is expected to accelerate innovation, deepen infrastructure capabilities, and expand reach across African markets.

Mono’s founding vision helps explain why the deal is strategically significant. Launched in 2019 by Abdulhamid Hassan and Prakhar, the company was built around the belief that African businesses needed more than payment acceptance, they needed secure, consent-driven access to financial accounts and data to build smarter products. At the time, open banking was not yet a mainstream concept in Nigeria. Five years later, Mono has processed over 150 billion transactions, served more than seven million users, and expanded beyond Nigeria into Kenya and Ghana, becoming a critical infrastructure provider for fintechs, lenders, and digital platforms.

The decision to join Flutterwave was not driven by financial pressure or slowing momentum. Mono’s growth, product depth, and team strength positioned it well to continue independently. However, leadership from both sides concluded that the convergence of payments and open banking presented a rare opportunity to build something more powerful together. Flutterwave’s experience operating large-scale, mission-critical payment infrastructure across borders complements Mono’s open-banking rails and deep financial data access, creating what both companies describe as a more complete financial operating system for African businesses.

For Flutterwave, the acquisition strengthens its ability to support faster merchant onboarding, improve verification processes, reduce fraud, and enable seamless account-to-account payments. It also adds vertical depth to its platform, with potential benefits ranging from stronger margins to greater platform stickiness and differentiation. For developers and businesses, the integration promises a more unified environment where payments, identity, and financial data infrastructure coexist, reducing complexity and speeding up product development.

The transaction also stands out in Africa’s venture landscape. Mono had raised $17.5 million from local and international investors, and the deal allows those backers to at least recover their capital, with some early investors reportedly achieving returns of up to 20x. In an ecosystem where exits remain limited, the acquisition provides a clear example of value creation through long-term infrastructure building rather than short-term scale.

Advisory support for the transaction was provided by Goodwin Procter LLP, alongside Rachna Shah of External General Counsel, who supported Mono throughout the process. Completion remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals for relevant entities.

Beyond the companies involved, the deal reflects a broader shift underway in African fintech. As markets move away from card-dominated models toward bank-based, authenticated payment systems, open banking is emerging as foundational infrastructure. By combining scale with deep data access, Flutterwave is positioning itself not just as a payments leader, but as a central player in shaping the next phase of Africa’s digital financial economy, one where payments, data, and trust are built to work together at scale.

Nigeria Records Sharp Drop in Medical Tourism Spending as Local Healthcare Use Rises

Nigeria’s expenditure on overseas medical treatment declined sharply in 2025, signalling a major shift in healthcare utilisation and foreign exchange demand, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

An analysis of CBN records covering the first half of 2025 shows that spending on outbound medical travel fell by over 96 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. The scale of the drop points to a sustained contraction rather than a temporary slowdown.

In monetary terms, medical tourism-related foreign exchange usage that previously ran into millions of dollars has reduced to well below one-tenth of its prior level within a year. While spending in early 2024 was inflated by a single, unusually large outflow at the start of the year, expenditure declined rapidly thereafter and remained persistently low throughout the first six months of 2025.

What stands out in the 2025 data is consistency. Unlike the volatility observed in the previous year, outbound medical spending remained minimal across successive months, with no material rebound. This pattern suggests structural changes in behaviour rather than deferred travel or seasonal effects.

Several factors appear to be driving this shift. Foreign exchange reforms introduced between late 2024 and early 2025 tightened oversight of FX utilisation, improving transparency and limiting discretionary access. These measures reduced leakages and curbed non-essential capital outflows, including medical travel that had long been a pressure point for Nigeria’s FX market.

At the same time, domestic healthcare capacity has expanded. Since 2023, government investment in public health facilities, combined with increased private sector participation, has improved access to specialised care within the country. More Nigerian hospitals now provide services that previously compelled patients to seek treatment abroad, including advanced diagnostics, specialised surgeries, and long-term disease management.

This improved capacity has changed patient behaviour. Many Nigerians who would once have travelled overseas are now accessing treatment locally. In parallel, diaspora Nigerians are increasingly returning home for medical procedures, attracted by shorter waiting times, lower costs, and access to experienced medical professionals. Some facilities are also drawing patients from neighbouring countries, reversing the long-standing direction of medical-related capital flows.

The impact extends beyond patients. Medical professionals practicing in Nigeria are seeing improved demand for their services, better remuneration, and greater exposure to modern equipment as hospitals expand capacity to meet rising local and regional demand. This has helped strengthen retention and professional development within the sector.

Health financing reforms have further supported the trend. Expanded health insurance coverage and targeted subsidy programmes have lowered financial barriers to care, while partnerships between Nigerian hospitals and international health-focused organisations have helped subsidise specialised services for qualifying low-income patients.

From an economic standpoint, the reduction in medical tourism spending has eased pressure on foreign exchange demand. Resources that would previously have been spent abroad are now circulating within the domestic economy, supporting healthcare delivery, employment, and allied industries such as pharmaceuticals and medical logistics.

Although challenges remain, including uneven access to advanced healthcare across regions, the data indicates a clear departure from past trends. Nigeria’s healthcare system is increasingly absorbing demand that once flowed overseas, with important implications for both public health outcomes and macroeconomic stability.

A major step for food security: Silagreen unveils Nigeria’s first embryo transfer-born Girolando calf

Nigeria has recorded an important breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology as Silagreen International Agro Development Limited, a Nigerian agri-biotech firm, unveiled the country’s first embryo transfer-born Girolando calf at Harmony Farms in Odogbolu, Ogun State.

The development is being described as a major step forward for Nigeria’s dairy industry and the Federal Government’s food security efforts. According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Akinruli, the birth of the calf marks a new phase for dairy productivity in the country and has the potential to improve the livelihoods of farming families and rural communities through more stable and reliable dairy income.

The healthy female calf was produced under Silagreen’s Advanced Tropical Genetic Improvement Programme, which uses embryo transfer technology to introduce superior cattle genetics into Nigeria. Embryo transfer allows embryos from high-quality donor cows to be implanted into other cows, making it possible to multiply elite genetics much faster than through traditional breeding methods.

Silagreen explained that it deployed advanced embryo transfer technology from Brazil to introduce Girolando cattle genetics into Nigeria. The Girolando breed, a cross between Holstein and Gyr cattle, is well known for its high milk production, strong resistance to heat, and ability to thrive in tropical environments like Nigeria’s. When fully grown, the calves are expected to produce between 30 and 50 litres of milk per day, far higher than the output of most local breeds.

Akinruli noted that the birth of the calf is more than a scientific success, describing it as a practical asset for the future of Nigerian dairy farming. He said the programme would help farmers improve their herds within a single generation, reduce animal mortality, lower veterinary costs, and increase profitability through higher milk yield per cow. He also disclosed that the calf is the first in a carefully planned group, with several more embryo transfer-born calves expected between now and March 2026.

To expand the impact of the programme, Silagreen has begun engaging with federal and state governments, agricultural agencies, financial institutions, and commercial farms to create supportive policies, improve access to financing, and integrate advanced breeding technologies into national livestock programmes.

The Chairman of the company, Dr Amos Ayodele, said the breakthrough aligns with Nigeria’s goals of food security, import substitution, and economic diversification. He warned that dairy imports continue to drain the country’s foreign reserves and stressed that improving local milk production through science-based solutions offers a sustainable way forward. He added that the initiative would create jobs across the dairy value chain, encourage technology transfer, and build local expertise in modern agricultural biotechnology.

Silagreen disclosed that the first phase of the project succeeded through partnerships with several commercial farms, including Harmony Farms in Odogbolu, Adila Niche Farms, Blue Ridge Farms, Kosbaz Farm in Ilorin, Eagle Crest Ranch in Eruwa, Divine Living Farms in Iseyin, and Mirth Farms in Asejire.

The unveiling of Nigeria’s first embryo transfer-born Girolando calf highlights the growing role of local innovation in addressing long-standing challenges in food production and shows how modern agricultural technology can be applied successfully within Nigeria’s environment to support sustainable growth in the dairy sector.

Federal Government Moves to Anchor Exports in Every Nigerian Community

The Federal Government is weighing an ambitious nationwide initiative that could reshape Nigeria’s export landscape: identifying and developing at least one export-ready product in each of the country’s 774 local government areas. The proposal is designed to deepen non-oil exports while positioning Nigeria to compete more effectively within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

At the heart of the plan is a shift in strategy, from concentrating exports at a few industrial hubs to deliberately spreading production and trade capacity across communities. Each local government is expected to focus on a product it can sustainably produce, process, and sell within the African market, whether in agriculture, manufacturing, processing, or other value-adding sectors.

From Oil Dependence to Community-Driven Trade

The initiative reflects the government’s broader effort to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil exports by unlocking the productive strengths of local economies. By rooting export activity at the grassroots, officials believe the country can stimulate industrial growth, energise rural and semi-urban economies, and expand Nigeria’s share of intra-African trade.

The idea, as described by government officials, is straightforward but far-reaching: every local government should be known for something it can produce competitively and trade across Africa. If executed effectively, this approach could transform thousands of communities into active participants in continental commerce rather than passive consumers.

Plan Unveiled at AfCFTA 2025 Report Launch

Details of the proposal emerged during the release of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Achievements Report for 2025, where the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, outlined key trade priorities for 2026. The disclosure was later amplified by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media.

According to the minister, the Federal Government intends to work closely with state governments and local authorities to identify products with genuine export potential. The goal is not just to name products, but to ensure they meet market requirements and are properly positioned for regional trade.

Beyond Product Identification

Officials emphasise that the programme goes beyond branding local goods as “exportable.” It is expected to be supported by stronger coordination among government institutions, improved trade data systems, clearer export guidelines for businesses, and nationwide sensitisation campaigns to help Nigerians better understand AfCFTA opportunities.

These measures are aimed at removing long-standing bottlenecks that have limited the participation of small businesses, cooperatives, and local producers in cross-border trade. By simplifying processes and improving access to information, the government hopes to make regional exports more inclusive and commercially viable.

Building on Nigeria’s AfCFTA Leadership

The proposed scheme builds on Nigeria’s expanding footprint under AfCFTA. Notably, the country recently became the first in Africa to publish a five-year review of its AfCFTA implementation, a step widely seen as reinforcing its leadership role in continental trade integration.

In November 2025, the Federal Executive Council also approved a set of transformative reforms linked to AfCFTA, including the ratification of the protocol on digital trade. This move further strengthened Nigeria’s position as a policy-shaping player within Africa’s $3.4 trillion single market.

Jobs, Value Chains, and Local Prosperity

If successfully implemented, the local-government-focused export strategy could drive non-oil export growth, create jobs, and stimulate value chains across the country. More importantly, it would help ensure that the benefits of Africa’s largest free trade market are felt not just at the national level, but in towns, villages, and production clusters nationwide.

In practical terms, the initiative represents an effort to localise AfCFTA, making it tangible for ordinary Nigerians, while reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s next phase of trade-driven growth.

Nigeria’s stock market delivered ₦37 trillion in gains in 2025.

The Nigerian stock market defied one of the most challenging economic backdrops in recent history to deliver an extraordinary performance in 2025, creating an estimated ₦37 trillion in capital gains for investors and pushing total market capitalisation to the brink of the ₦100 trillion mark. This historic rally unfolded despite persistent security concerns, high operating costs, inflationary pressures, and global economic uncertainty, underscoring a deep resurgence in investor confidence and the growing resilience of Nigeria’s capital market.

By the close of the 2025 financial year, data from the Nigerian Exchange showed that market capitalisation had climbed to approximately ₦99.4 trillion, up sharply from about ₦62.8 trillion at the end of 2024. The scale of this expansion translated directly into one of the largest single-year increases in shareholder wealth ever recorded on the Exchange. The NGX All-Share Index mirrored this momentum, rising from just under 103,000 points to more than 155,600 points, delivering a year-to-date return of over 51 per cent and ranking among the strongest annual performances in the market’s history.

The rally was broad-based, cutting across sectors and market capitalisation bands, and driven largely by domestic investors who continued to dominate trading activity. Pension funds, asset managers, insurance companies, and retail investors increasingly repositioned their portfolios toward equities as stocks emerged as a preferred hedge against inflation and currency volatility. 

Domestic participation accounted for close to four-fifths of total transactions during the year, reflecting a strong homegrown conviction in Nigerian-listed companies. At the same time, foreign portfolio investment showed notable improvement, with offshore investors accounting for just over one-fifth of total market transactions by year-end and equity inflows exceeding ₦1.2 trillion in the first eleven months of the year.

Sectoral performance revealed the depth of the rally. Consumer goods stocks delivered the strongest returns in 2025, posting gains of nearly 130 per cent as a sector. This surge was driven by a dramatic rebound in earnings following severe foreign exchange losses in prior years, alongside pricing adjustments and improved cost management. Several consumer companies recorded exceptional price appreciation, reflecting renewed confidence in their recovery trajectories and long-term fundamentals.

Insurance stocks also staged a powerful comeback, with the sector rising by more than 70 per cent over the year. The rally followed the implementation of key policy reforms under the Nigerian Insurance Reform Act of 2025, including higher minimum capital requirements, which strengthened balance sheets and improved investor perception of the sector’s long-term stability. 

Industrial goods stocks closed the year strongly as well, supported by outsized gains in select manufacturing and building materials companies, while banking stocks delivered solid returns amid sustained trading activity linked to the industry-wide recapitalisation programme.

The banking sector’s performance was shaped largely by capital-raising exercises, including rights issues, public offers, and strategic placements, which drove heightened investor engagement throughout the year. Improved interest income, stronger financial results, and clearer regulatory direction reinforced confidence in the sector, making financial services one of the most actively traded segments of the market in 2025.

Beyond individual sectors, market participants widely credited policy reforms and improved market infrastructure for supporting the rally. Economic adjustments aimed at improving exchange rate transparency, moderating inflation, and strengthening fiscal discipline contributed to better price discovery and more efficient capital allocation. 

At the same time, sustained investment in trading technology and market systems enhanced transparency, access, and operational efficiency across the Exchange, helping to deepen liquidity and broaden participation.

Market leaders and shareholder groups have repeatedly cautioned, however, that sustaining this momentum will require continued policy discipline. Investors have called for consistency in economic reforms, improved security conditions, greater foreign exchange stability, and a reduction in the cost of doing business. 

Concerns have also been raised about fiscal measures perceived as unfriendly to long-term investment, including the reintroduction of certain taxes on equity transactions, which market participants argue could dampen confidence if not carefully managed.

By the end of 2025, the structure of the Nigerian stock market had visibly strengthened. More than 22 listed companies were valued above the ₦1 trillion market capitalisation threshold, and the Exchange’s total valuation came within touching distance of ₦100 trillion for the first time. This marked a significant leap in market depth and underscored the growing role of equities in Nigeria’s broader financial system.

Looking ahead, analysts expect market performance in 2026 to be shaped by a mix of fiscal policy decisions, corporate earnings trends, macroeconomic stability, and landmark developments such as major potential listings and evolving global energy dynamics. Political activity ahead of the next election cycle is also expected to influence investor sentiment and trading patterns.

What 2025 ultimately demonstrated is that Nigeria’s stock market is capable of delivering substantial and sustained wealth creation even under difficult conditions. The ₦37 trillion gain recorded during the year stands not just as a numerical achievement, but as evidence of renewed confidence, improving market structures, and the long-term potential of Nigerian enterprises. For investors, policymakers, and market operators alike, 2025 will be remembered as a defining year in which the Nigerian capital market reasserted its relevance as a powerful engine for growth and value creation.

Ade Adefeko: The Nigerian Who Became Botswana’s First Honorary Consul

Ade Adefeko’s story is one of preparation meeting opportunity, quietly, steadily, and across borders.

On December 24, 2020, the Government of the Republic of Botswana appointed Adefeko as its first Honorary Consul to Nigeria, a historic move that made him the first Nigerian ever to represent Botswana in that capacity. The appointment reflected a clear intention to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with Nigeria through someone who understands people, policy, and business.

As Honorary Consul, his mandate is practical rather than ceremonial. He is expected to promote cooperation between Nigeria and Botswana in key areas such as agriculture, mining, education, ICT, tourism, and aviation, while helping businesses on both sides find common ground.

A Life Shaped Early by Diplomacy and Travel

Born in Nigeria a decade after independence to a diplomat father, Adefeko was introduced early to life beyond borders. By the age of four, he had lived outside Nigeria, including time in Chad, where his exposure to French-speaking environments began. Travel, cultures, and languages were not distant ideas, they were part of everyday life.

His years at Federal Government College, Odogbolu, one of Nigeria’s unity schools, further shaped his worldview. Surrounded by classmates from across the country, he developed a deep belief in Nigeria’s diversity and unity, a conviction that still guides his thinking today.

He later studied Foreign Languages (French and Portuguese) at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1990. That decision would quietly become one of the most valuable assets of his career.

Today, Adefeko speaks at least ten languages, including French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Swahili, Zulu, and Ndebele, alongside Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo. He often uses language as a diplomatic tool, breaking tension, building trust, and opening doors long before formal negotiations begin.

A Career Built Across Sectors

Adefeko’s professional journey has never followed a single straight line. He began his career in 1991 in the oil services sector, while also lecturing French at Alliance Française. In 1992, he moved into banking, where he worked across operations, credit, and treasury, eventually becoming the pioneer branch manager of Standard Trust Bank (now UBA) in Ilorin.

After more than a decade in banking, he transitioned into corporate communications and public affairs. He held senior roles at MultiChoice Nigeria (DStv) and later at British American Tobacco, where he served as Area Head of Communications and Regulation for Nigeria, Benin Republic, Niger, and Togo.

In 2011, Adefeko joined Olam Nigeria, one of the country’s largest agribusiness players. He rose to become Vice President and Head of Corporate and Government Relations, overseeing engagement with government, regulators, and key stakeholders. During this period, Olam strengthened its position as a major non-oil exporter and expanded operations, including the acquisition of Dangote Flour Mills in 2019.

A Strong Voice for Agriculture and Policy Consistency

Beyond corporate roles, Adefeko has consistently spoken about Nigeria’s economic direction, especially agriculture. He believes Nigeria’s challenge is not lack of potential but lack of long-term policy consistency. According to him, agriculture cannot grow on short political cycles, it needs steady planning, strong enforcement, and protection against issues that undermines local producers.

His views are shaped by hands-on experience. Olam, under his leadership in government relations, has become one of Nigeria’s largest contributors to non-oil exports and foreign exchange, reinforcing the role of agribusiness in national development.

He also chairs the NACCIMA Agricultural Trade Group, representing over 3,000 farmers, SMEs, and agribusiness operators, and serves on several trade, export, and competitiveness advisory bodies.

Why Botswana Makes Sense

Adefeko’s relationship with Botswana did not begin with his appointment. Years earlier, he had taken a keen interest in the country’s development story. In 2018, he wrote extensively about Botswana’s transformation, from extreme poverty at independence to an upper-middle-income economy, driven by good governance, rule of law, and disciplined economic management.

That long-standing respect for Botswana’s model, combined with his diplomatic temperament and private-sector experience, made his appointment both logical and strategic.

Service Over Politics

Despite his influence and exposure, Adefeko has repeatedly distanced himself from elective politics. He has said he prefers roles where he can serve without partisanship, contribute ideas, and help shape outcomes without being tied to political ambition.

He often credits his journey to spiritual grounding, contentment, and strong family support, guided by a simple personal philosophy: “For God, family, and country.” 

A Quiet but Important Role

As Botswana’s first Honorary Consul to Nigeria, Ade Adefeko operates largely behind the scenes, connecting governments, opening business conversations, and translating goodwill into practical cooperation.

In a continent pushing for deeper intra-African trade and collaboration, his role reflects a growing understanding: that diplomacy today is as much about commerce, credibility, and human connection as it is about protocol and in that space, Adefeko fits naturally- calm, prepared, and multilingual in every sense of the word.

University of The Gambia Honours Akinwumi Adesina by Renaming School of Agriculture

The University of The Gambia has renamed its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in honour of Dr Akinwumi Adesina, former President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), recognising his far-reaching impact on agriculture, food security, and economic development across Africa.

The institution will now be known as the Dr Akinwumi Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, following a formal unveiling ceremony led by President Adama Barrow, who described the honour as a reflection of The Gambia’s deep appreciation for Adesina’s visionary leadership and lasting contributions to Africa’s agricultural transformation.

Celebrating a Transformative African Leader

Dr Adesina served as President of the African Development Bank from 2015 to 2025, a decade widely regarded as one of the most transformative periods in the institution’s history. Under his leadership, the Bank pursued ambitious reforms that strengthened Africa’s development financing architecture while placing agriculture and food security at the heart of continental growth.

Central to this agenda was the AfDB’s High 5s development strategy, Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, Industrialise Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life of Africans. Collectively, these initiatives impacted more than 535 million people across the continent, according to AfDB data.

During the same period, the Bank’s capital base expanded dramatically from $93 billion to $318 billion, the largest in its history. The institution also maintained its AAA credit rating and earned multiple global recognitions for governance, innovation, and development impact.

Advancing Food Security and Agricultural Productivity

Adesina’s legacy is particularly defined by his work in agriculture. Through the Feed Africa Strategy, the AfDB supported food security for more than 104 million Africans, while boosting agricultural productivity, value chains, and agribusiness development.

He also championed the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative, which accelerated the adoption of climate-smart, high-yield crop technologies and helped millions of farmers increase production and incomes.

These efforts reinforced agriculture’s role not just as a subsistence activity, but as a driver of jobs, exports, industrial growth, and economic resilience.

Tangible Impact in The Gambia

The honour also reflects Adesina’s direct impact on The Gambia. Under his leadership, the African Development Bank financed the Senegambia Bridge, a landmark infrastructure project that dramatically reduced travel time between The Gambia and Senegal, strengthened regional trade, and enhanced economic integration within West Africa.

In a letter conveying the decision to rename the faculty, The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, described Adesina’s tenure as transformative, noting that his leadership helped drive economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development across Africa.

Inspiring Future Generations

The University of The Gambia said the renaming of the school is intended to inspire students and researchers to emulate Adesina’s vision, determination, and commitment to Africa’s development, particularly in the areas of agriculture, environmental sustainability, and innovation.

In his response, Adesina described the recognition as exceptional, expressing deep gratitude for the honour and reaffirming his lifelong commitment to Africa’s transformation.

The tribute adds to a growing list of recognitions for Adesina, who in 2023 was conferred with The Gambia’s highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic, for his contributions to the country and the continent at large.

A Legacy Beyond a Name

Beyond the symbolic renaming, the decision stands as a powerful affirmation of agriculture’s central role in Africa’s future. As climate change, population growth, and global economic uncertainty reshape the continent’s priorities, the values associated with Adesina’s leadership, innovation, accountability, and inclusive growth, remain deeply relevant.

By immortalising his name within its academic institution, the University of The Gambia signals a commitment to producing graduates and ideas capable of driving Africa’s next chapter of agricultural and economic transformation.

Oluseun Taiwo: The Nigerian Innovator Rebuilding Aerospace Manufacturing

For decades, aerospace innovation has been constrained not by imagination, but by manufacturing. While designs for rockets, satellites, and advanced aircraft have grown increasingly sophisticated, the processes used to build them have remained slow, rigid, and heavily dependent on human intervention. Oluseun Taiwo, a Nigerian-American engineer and entrepreneur, is working to dismantle those limitations.

As the Founder and CEO of Solideon, Taiwo is leading a new generation of manufacturing, one where autonomous systems, machine learning, robotics, and advanced fabrication converge to make hardware development as fast and flexible as modern software. His work has positioned Solideon as one of the most ambitious aerospace manufacturing companies operating today and earned him a place on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Nigerian Roots and an Engineer’s Curiosity

Taiwo’s journey reflects a blend of Nigerian heritage and frontier engineering culture. Rooted in values of discipline, resilience, and problem-solving, his background mirrors a broader tradition of Nigerian excellence in technical fields across the diaspora. That foundation would later prove critical in an industry where progress depends on precision, experimentation, and persistence.

From University Labs to the Edge of Space

Taiwo’s technical foundation was shaped at Northern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. There, he gained early exposure to metal additive manufacturing, design optimization, and advanced fabrication techniques. His academic training emphasized hands-on engineering, combining CAD design, automation, and manufacturing systems, which later became central to his professional work.

That path led him to Rocket Lab USA, where he played a pioneering role in aerospace manufacturing. As one of the company’s early engineers, Taiwo contributed to the development of 3D-printed rocket engines, becoming part of the team that launched the first 3D-printed rocket engine to reach orbit in 2017 - a landmark moment in aerospace history.

He would go on to spearhead advanced manufacturing and 3D-printing initiatives at Argonne National Laboratory, Virgin Orbit, and 3D Systems, gaining rare insight into the strengths and deep inefficiencies of traditional aerospace supply chains.

The Birth of Solideon

These experiences revealed a persistent industry problem: aerospace manufacturing was slow, tooling-heavy, and overly dependent on manual processes. Taiwo founded Solideon, originally Additive Space Technologies, to address this gap at its root.

Solideon’s vision is bold: to become the premier end-to-end platform for bespoke manufacturing and assembly, capable of building any aerospace vehicle at scale. The company positions itself as a rare blend of advanced engineering and practical execution, venture-backed, but built with a blue-collar manufacturing mindset.

Autonomous Factories and Intelligent Manufacturing

At the heart of Solideon’s innovation is the concept of autonomous, deployable factories, manufacturing systems that can build complex hardware anytime, anywhere, with minimal human involvement. These systems integrate AI-driven design, robotic fabrication, real-time inspection, and intelligent assembly, allowing hardware development to operate at unprecedented speed.

Traditional aerospace tooling can take four months or more to produce. Solideon’s approach eliminates the need for conventional tooling altogether, significantly shortening development timelines. By automating and optimizing production, the company aims to remove more than 90% of the human intervention typically required in manufacturing.

The results are substantial: lighter structures, faster production cycles, and improved consistency, factors that directly impact performance and cost in aerospace systems.

Strengthening Critical Supply Chains

Beyond speed, Solideon’s model addresses one of the aerospace industry’s most pressing challenges: supply chain fragility. Its manufacturing systems are designed to coexist with existing infrastructure while enhancing it, improving lead times, increasing predictability, and reducing reliance on scarce or exotic materials.

By embedding intelligence into robotic fleets and using AI to generatively design optimized structures, Solideon creates manufacturing processes that are not only faster, but more adaptable and resilient. In a world where geopolitical and logistical disruptions are increasingly common, such flexibility is becoming essential.

Recognition and Global Impact

Taiwo’s inclusion in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 reflects his consistent role in pushing the boundaries of aerospace manufacturing, from his early work on orbital rocket engines to his leadership at Solideon. It also highlights a broader shift: the rise of engineers who combine deep technical expertise with entrepreneurial execution in hard technology sectors.

For Nigeria, Taiwo’s journey reinforces an often-overlooked truth. Nigerian innovators are not only shaping software and finance, they are increasingly building the physical systems that underpin global technological progress.

Looking Ahead

With operations scaling in the United States and its autonomous manufacturing systems advancing, Solideon is positioning itself for wider deployment across aerospace and beyond. As missions grow more complex and timelines more compressed, the demand for intelligent, flexible manufacturing will only intensify.

For Oluseun Taiwo, the mission is clear: to redefine how aerospace hardware is built, ensuring that manufacturing evolves at the same pace as human ambition.

In doing so, he stands as a powerful example of how Nigerian heritage, engineering excellence, and bold vision can converge to reshape the future of global industry.

Tony Elumelu’s Heirs Energies Acquires 20.07% Stake in Seplat Energy Plc in Landmark US$496 Million Deal

Nigeria’s energy sector has opened the year with a defining indigenous transaction, as Heirs Energies Limited, backed by entrepreneur and investor Tony Elumelu, acquired a significant equity stake in Seplat Energy Plc in one of the largest locally driven energy deals in recent history.

Heirs Energies has acquired the entire 20.07 per cent equity stake, representing 120.4 million ordinary shares, previously held by Maurel & Prom S.A. in Seplat Energy Plc, in a transaction valued at approximately US$496 million. The acquisition makes Heirs Energies the single largest shareholder in Seplat, reinforcing a major shift towards indigenous ownership and long-term domestic capital within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

A Landmark African-Financed Transaction

Beyond its size, the transaction stands out for how it was financed. The acquisition was supported by two leading African financial institutions, Afreximbank and Africa Finance Corporation, underscoring Africa’s growing capacity to finance complex, large-scale energy transactions internally, without reliance on offshore capital.

The deal also follows closely on the heels of Heirs Energies’ successful closure of a US$750 million financing arrangement with Afreximbank to support its existing operations and expansion plans. Taken together, these developments signal a significant strengthening of the company’s financial base and its ability to execute transactions of scale within Africa’s capital markets.

Strategic Alignment, Not a Takeover

Seplat Energy Plc, dual-listed on the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent independent energy companies, with a growing emphasis on gas development alongside its oil production portfolio. The transaction does not constitute a takeover but positions Heirs Energies as a cornerstone shareholder aligned with Seplat’s long-term strategy.

In announcing the acquisition, Heirs Energies described it as a milestone in its long-term vision to build scale, resilience, and sustainable value across Africa’s energy landscape. The company reaffirmed its commitment to advancing energy security, supporting industrialisation, and creating shared prosperity, while operating to the highest standards of governance, safety, and stakeholder responsibility.

Consolidating a Broader Energy Footprint

The acquisition further consolidates Tony Elumelu’s position across Nigeria’s energy value chain. Beyond upstream oil and gas, his power generation assets, Transcorp Power in Delta State and TransAfam Power in Rivers State, account for an estimated 17 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity supply. In addition, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), in which Heirs Holdings has a controlling interest, serves a vast franchise area of approximately 126,000 square kilometres across Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger States.

This vertically integrated exposure from upstream production to power generation and distribution reflects a coherent strategy focused on addressing Nigeria’s persistent energy deficits through long-term investment rather than short-term arbitrage.

A Statement of Confidence in Nigeria’s Energy Future

For Tony Elumelu, long recognised as a leading advocate of Africapitalism, the transaction reinforces a consistent philosophy: that Africa’s development challenges, including energy poverty, must be solved through African capital, African institutions, and African leadership. The acquisition aligns with his long-held belief that sustainable prosperity on the continent will be driven by private sector-led investment with strong developmental intent.

As global energy markets continue to evolve and international players reassess their exposure to frontier assets, the Heirs Energies–Seplat transaction sends a countervailing signal. Capital is still being committed to Nigeria,  ownership is being retained locally and indigenous institutions are increasingly shaping the strategic direction of the sector.

A Defining Opening to the Year

There are transactions that attract attention, and those that quietly reshape industries. This deal belongs firmly in the latter category.

Heirs Energies’ acquisition of a 20.07 per cent stake in Seplat Energy Plc is not merely a financial transaction; it is a statement of confidence in Nigeria’s energy future and in the capacity of indigenous companies to lead, finance, and steward strategic assets responsibly.

As the first major energy deal to set the tone for the year, it underscores a reality that is steadily gaining ground: Nigeria’s energy story is increasingly being written from within.

Nigeria Clears Robotic Surgery for Clinical Use, Setting a First for West Africa

Nigeria has reached a landmark moment in its healthcare journey following regulatory approval for robotic surgery by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), becoming the first country in West Africa to authorise the clinical use of a robotic surgical system.

The approval covers the Toumai robotic surgical platform and confirms its safety and clinical effectiveness for use on Nigerian patients. With this decision, Nigeria formally opens the door to advanced robotic-assisted procedures, a move that positions the country at the forefront of surgical innovation in the sub-region, which is home to more than 400 million people.

The regulatory clearance follows a pivotal clinical milestone achieved in November 2025, when the first robotic-assisted surgeries in West Africa were successfully performed at NISA Premier Hospital in Abuja. The procedures were led by Dr. Obi Ekwenna, Chief Executive Officer of RoboMed, the company partnering to introduce the technology to the region. Both patients recovered rapidly and were discharged within 12 and 48 hours respectively, outcomes that reflect the reduced recovery times often associated with minimally invasive robotic surgery when compared with traditional open procedures.

Robotic surgical systems are designed to enhance a surgeon’s precision, translating controlled hand movements into highly refined actions during complex operations. Their adoption globally has been associated with reduced surgical trauma, less post-operative pain, and quicker returns to daily activity. Nigerian clinicians involved in the initial procedures report that these benefits were evident from the outset.

Speaking on the approval, RoboMed executives described the decision as both a validation of the technology and a broader statement about Africa’s capacity for healthcare leadership. Company officials noted that Nigeria’s regulatory breakthrough demonstrates that advanced medical innovation can be responsibly deployed in low- and middle-income settings when supported by strong oversight and local expertise.

At NISA Premier Hospital, the approval represents the realisation of a long-standing ambition to deliver world-class care domestically. The hospital’s leadership has consistently framed the adoption of advanced technologies as a way to reduce medical tourism and ensure that Nigerians can access high-quality treatment without travelling abroad.

Following NAFDAC’s clearance, RoboMed has announced plans to expand robotic surgery services through partnerships with hospitals across Nigeria and, over time, the wider West African region. Central to this strategy is the establishment of the RoboMed Academy, a training programme aimed at equipping local surgeons with the skills required to perform robotic-assisted procedures, ensuring sustainability and long-term capacity development.

A public launch of the Toumai robotic surgical system is scheduled to take place in Abuja in January 2026, while widespread adoption will depend on infrastructure, training, and cost considerations. 

Nigeria’s regulatory approval marks a decisive step forward, signalling not only access to cutting-edge surgical care, but also the country’s growing influence in shaping the future of healthcare innovation in Africa.

Perfect Nine and New Depth: How the Super Eagles Turned the Group Stage Into a Statement

Nigeria’s Super Eagles closed the Africa Cup of Nations group stage in Morocco with authority, composure, and an important sense of discovery. Three matches produced three wins, nine points, and confirmation of top spot in Group C, as Nigeria advanced ahead of Tunisia and Tanzania, who progressed as two of the tournament’s best third-placed sides.

More than the table, however, it was the manner of Nigeria’s final group performance that revealed a team growing stronger within the tournament.

Uganda Match: Rotation, Control, and Breakthroughs

Already assured of qualification, Nigeria approached their final group game against Uganda with calculated rotation, resting several regular starters. What followed was not a drop in quality, but a demonstration of depth and clarity of structure, as the Super Eagles recorded a convincing 3–1 victory to complete a perfect group-stage run.

The opening goal came from Paul Onuachu, who marked his return to the scoresheet by netting his first international goal in four years. His finish was a reminder of the different dimension he brings , physical presence, aerial dominance, and the ability to occupy central defenders. It was a goal that set the tone and rewarded Nigeria’s early control.

The match then belonged to Raphael Onyedika.

Introduced into a midfield role with greater responsibility, Onyedika delivered a performance that may prove pivotal to Nigeria’s tournament. He struck two goals, his second and third arriving with calm precision, arriving late into space and finishing with style. The brace was not only decisive, it was revealing, evidence of a midfielder capable of contributing goals while maintaining positional discipline.

Uganda, reduced to ten men following the red card to Salim Magoola, managed a consolation through Rogers Mato, but the contest had already tilted decisively. Their evening unravelled further as they were forced to deploy three different goalkeepers, following an injury and the dismissal, summing up a chaotic tournament that ultimately ended in elimination.

What the Uganda Game Revealed

For Nigeria, the Uganda match was not about survival or urgency, it was about assessment. Fresh legs were introduced, and instead of disruption, Nigeria found solutions. The system held. The tempo remained controlled. Contributions came from players outside the usual headlines.

This is where the performance carried real weight.

In tournament football, depth often decides outcomes more than star power. Nigeria showed they can rotate without regression, introduce players without losing cohesion, and trust squad members in competitive moments.

Core Figures and Tactical Shape

Throughout the group stage, Victor Osimhen has remained Nigeria’s attacking reference point. His pressing, movement, and physicality have consistently distorted defensive structures, even in matches where he was closely monitored. He remains the axis around which Nigeria’s attack turns.

In midfield, the emergence of Raphael Onyedika adds a crucial layer. His brace against Uganda was not a fluke, but a product of timing, confidence, and tactical freedom within a structured system. His performance expands Nigeria’s options heading into the knockout rounds.

Defensively, Nigeria’s platform has been built around Calvin Bassey, whose strength, recovery speed, and composure on the ball have allowed the Super Eagles to compress space and sustain pressure higher up the pitch. His presence has been key to Nigeria’s balance — attack with intent, defend with control.

A Group Stage With Meaning

Nigeria’s perfect group-stage finish was not simply about points. It was about control, clarity, and confidence. The Super Eagles managed games intelligently, rotated responsibly, and avoided the emotional swings that often derail teams early in AFCON tournaments.

As the competition moves into the knockout phase, margins will narrow and pressure will rise. For Nigeria, the task now is to maintain efficiency in front of goal, protect defensive concentration, and continue using squad depth strategically.

A flawless group stage guarantees nothing in African football but it does offer belief, and belief backed by structure and genuine depth, can be powerful.

Nigeria leave the group phase not just qualified, but strengthened and that may prove to be the most important result of all. 

From Nigeria to Global Markets: Clea Deploys Blockchain Payments for African Businesses

For many African businesses, paying overseas suppliers remains one of the most fragile links in global commerce. Transfers are often slow, opaque, and costly, with failed payments disrupting supply chains and straining commercial relationships. A Nigeria-based fintech startup, Clea, is addressing this challenge with a blockchain-enabled payments platform designed to bring speed, transparency, and predictability to cross-border trade.

Founded in 2024, Clea has developed payment infrastructure that allows African importers to fund transactions locally, such as in naira, while ensuring that overseas suppliers receive U.S. dollar payments without the delays and uncertainty common in traditional correspondent banking systems. The approach reflects a broader shift in fintech toward building infrastructure that supports real economic activity rather than consumer-facing speculation.

Reducing Friction in Cross-Border Payments

International payments into and out of Africa often pass through multiple intermediaries, increasing costs and settlement risk. These challenges are particularly acute for small and mid-sized businesses that depend on timely payments to maintain supplier trust and manage working capital.

Clea’s platform is designed to remove these bottlenecks. By using blockchain technology as its settlement layer, the company enables traceable transactions with clearer timelines, reducing reliance on fragmented banking networks. Payments are executed in the importer’s own name, a feature aimed at lowering disputes and strengthening confidence with international suppliers.

Payments Built for Commerce

Rather than positioning itself as a general crypto product, Clea focuses on payments infrastructure tailored to trade. Businesses complete onboarding and compliance checks once, after which they can manage cross-border payments through a streamlined digital wallet accessible via mobile devices. Funding accounts, initiating transfers, and accessing foreign exchange rates are handled through a simplified workflow intended to mirror the ease of local payments.

Blockchain underpins settlement and transparency, helping to reduce fraud risk and improve visibility for both sides of a transaction. Depending on the payment corridor, transfers can be completed within the same day or by the next business day, an improvement over legacy systems that often take several days.

Behind the platform is a founding team focused on execution and reliability. Clea was founded by Sheriff Adedokun, who leads the company as chief executive, alongside Iyiola Osuagwu, who oversees the technical architecture, and Sidney Egwuatu, who manages operations. The team’s shared view is that payment uncertainty is not merely an inconvenience, but a structural risk that weakens African businesses’ ability to compete in global markets.

Early Market Validation

That view appears to be resonating with users. During its pilot phase, Clea processed more than 4 million dollars in cross-border transaction volume, indicating early demand from businesses navigating foreign exchange constraints and inconsistent settlement outcomes.

While the platform currently serves Nigerian importers, it has been built with regional expansion in mind. Clea is already embedded within trade and logistics networks, working alongside shipping operators and engaging merchant groups in key import hubs, placing the platform directly within the flow of goods where payment reliability is most critical.

Trade Infrastructure in a Changing Market

Clea’s launch comes as African trade continues to expand, driven by deeper participation in global supply chains and regional integration efforts. Yet, payment infrastructure has struggled to keep pace, particularly for smaller firms operating outside large corporate banking relationships.

By combining local currency funding, compliant dollar settlements, and transparent execution, Clea is targeting one of the most persistent bottlenecks in African commerce. Its approach underscores the growing maturity of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, which is increasingly focused on building infrastructure capable of supporting complex, cross-border economic activity.

As African businesses deepen their role in global trade, platforms like Clea highlight how Nigeria-based innovation is helping reshape the financial systems that underpin commerce across borders.

 

Nigeria to Launch First National House at World Economic Forum 2026

Nigeria will make history at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos with the launch of its first-ever official national house, marking the country’s inaugural presence in the national house format since the forum began more than five decades ago.

Designed as Nigeria’s primary engagement hub during the five-day Davos gathering, Nigeria House Davos 2026 will operate as an invitation-only platform for high-level investment conversations, policy dialogue, strategic partnerships, and cultural exchange. Located along the Davos Promenade, the space will bring Nigeria’s public and private sector leaders into direct interaction with global stakeholders at a time of shifting economic alignments.

Organisers describe Nigeria House as a pan-Nigerian public-private initiative created to provide a consistent and credible interface between Nigeria and the international investment community. The platform is structured to move discussions beyond symbolism, with an emphasis on outcomes-driven engagement linking policy priorities to capital, innovation, and long-term partnerships.

The programme for Nigeria House Davos 2026 is anchored around key sectors reflecting Nigeria’s reform agenda and economic strengths. These focus areas include mining and solid minerals value chains; agriculture and trade-enabling infrastructure; climate finance, energy transition, and environmental sustainability; digital trade and technology; the creative economy and cultural exports. Each thematic area will be given a dedicated day, with the final day reserved for cross-sector convergence and closing dialogue aimed at aligning policy, finance, innovation, and culture, while outlining post-Davos pathways for investment and collaboration.

Commenting on Nigeria’s participation at global economic platforms, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to turning international interest into tangible economic outcomes.

She noted that the country remains focused on deepening reforms, strengthening foreign direct investment pipelines, and building credible partnerships that support sustainable value creation across priority sectors of the economy.

Backing the debut is an expanding group of sponsors and partners drawn from finance, infrastructure, energy, professional services, and philanthropy. Support currently includes the Bank of Agriculture, Africa Finance Corporation, Nepal Energies, UFAM Services Nigeria Ltd, Coronation Group, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, AB InBev Africa, Aruwa Capital, Redwire Group, Wigwe & Partners, The Osa Okunbo Foundation, Sunbeth Global Concepts, Roxettes Group, and others, with additional partners expected to join ahead of the January meeting.

Nigeria House Davos 2026 is being delivered by Eviola & Co Integrated Services Ltd in collaboration with Lex-Con Advisory Services Ltd, Intire Services AG (Switzerland), UFAM Services Nigeria Ltd, and key private-sector partners. The organisers say the initiative will convene government leaders, global chief executives, institutional investors, development finance institutions, innovators, and cultural leaders in a setting designed to support sustained, credible engagement during Davos week.

With its debut at WEF 2026, Nigeria House signals a deliberate shift in how Nigeria presents itself on the global economic stage, from episodic participation to a structured national platform focused on continuity, credibility, and measurable outcomes.

Profit, Purpose, and a $1B Valuation: The Moniepoint Story

For much of Africa’s fintech boom, success was measured in visibility. Consumer apps raced for attention, incentives drove downloads, and scale was often confused for sustainability.

Moniepoint Group grew in the opposite direction. It built quietly, stayed close to the real economy, and focused on the financial mechanics that keep millions of businesses running. Its emergence as a unicorn is less a breakout moment than proof that a different kind of fintech strategy can endure.

In October 2025, Moniepoint crossed the $1 billion valuation mark after closing a $250 million Series C funding round, confirming its place among Africa’s most valuable private technology companies. 

The timing was notable especially as African startup funding contracted sharply, yet Moniepoint stood apart, supported not by momentum alone but by scale, revenue, and profitability. It is now widely regarded as Africa’s first fintech unicorn to achieve profitability at scale, processing over $250 billion in transactions annually and serving more than 10 million active users.

That outcome traces back to how the company began.

Founded by Tosin Eniolorunda, an engineer with deep experience in banking systems and payment infrastructure, Moniepoint did not initially present itself as a consumer-facing fintech. In its early years, it operated as a technology backbone, building and running payment and banking systems for financial institutions. That vantage point exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s financial rails and, more importantly, the degree to which small businesses carried the weight of the economy without reliable financial support.

Rather than chase retail adoption, Moniepoint repositioned itself around micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and the agent networks that serve them. It built tools designed for daily commerce: payments that cleared reliably, POS devices that worked in low-infrastructure environments, and settlement systems merchants could trust. Over time, this focus placed Moniepoint at the centre of Nigeria’s expanding agency banking ecosystem, where it would eventually become the country’s largest merchant acquirer.

The strength of that infrastructure was tested during Nigeria’s 2023 cash shortage, when cash availability collapsed and demand for alternative payment channels surged. Moniepoint’s network absorbed the pressure, scaling transaction volumes rapidly while maintaining uptime. Adoption accelerated, and the company’s relevance moved from useful to essential.

By the time global investors turned their attention back to Africa, Moniepoint was no longer an emerging player. It was handling hundreds of millions of transactions each month, growing at over 150 percent compound annual growth, and generating sustainable revenues. 

The Series C round reflected that maturity which was led by Development Partners International (DPI), with LeapFrog Investments playing a significant role, and included participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Visa, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Lightrock, Proparco, Swedfund, Verod Capital Management, and other institutional investors. The diversity of the investor base signalled confidence not only in returns, but in Moniepoint’s role as long-term financial infrastructure.

The capital is being deployed deliberately as Moniepoint is expanding geographically, deepening its agency banking footprint, and broadening its product suite. Offerings such as Moniebook, which combines payments and bookkeeping for small businesses, reflect a belief that financial services should integrate seamlessly into business operations rather than exist as standalone tools. The broader ambition is an all-in-one platform that unifies payments, banking, credit, foreign exchange, and business management.

Expansion beyond Nigeria is already reshaping the company. In June 2025, Moniepoint received regulatory approval to acquire a 78 percent stake in Kenya’s Sumac Microfinance Bank, marking its first major move into East Africa.

Internationally, Moniepoint launched MonieWorld, a remittance and financial services product aimed at Africans in the United Kingdom, and acquired Bancom Europe, securing FCA-regulated licenses across the European Economic Area. These moves have come with upfront costs. In 2025, the company reported a $1.2 million loss linked to its UK operations, a calculated trade-off for long-term market access and regulatory positioning.

Today, Moniepoint employs over 2,000 people across more than 20 countries and is laying the groundwork for expansion into additional African and European markets. Yet its core focus remains unchanged: building reliable financial systems for the businesses that power everyday economic activity.

Moniepoint’s story challenges prevailing assumptions about African fintech. It suggests that infrastructure can be innovation, that profitability can coexist with inclusion, and that scale built patiently can outlast cycles of hype. Its unicorn status is not an endpoint, but a signal that Africa’s fintech ecosystem is entering a more durable phase, one where depth, resilience, and relevance matter as much as growth.

For investors and observers looking beyond headlines, Moniepoint offers a clear lesson: in complex markets, the companies that matter most are often the ones building quietly underneath.

Emeka Nwokolo Breaks Into WBA Top 10, Carrying Nigerian and African Boxing to the Global Stage

When the World Boxing Association quietly updated its super welterweight rankings, one name carried far more weight than a simple numerical rise. 

Emeka Nwokolo, the 32-year-old Nigerian boxer known in the ring as “Lion Heart 7o7,” had broken into the WBA top 10, climbing from 12th to 10th place in the fiercely competitive 154 pound division.

Based in Los Angeles, Nwokolo is no longer just a contender pushing at the door, he is now the only Nigerian ranked in the WBA’s top 10 and the only African fighter in the top 15 of the super welterweight division, an achievement that places him in rare company on the global boxing stage.

The milestone reflects years of steady progress rather than sudden ascent. As the reigning WBA-NABA super welterweight champion, Nwokolo has built momentum through consistent performances and disciplined development, earning recognition across multiple sanctioning bodies while keeping his sights firmly set on world-level contention.

“This is a dream come true, reaching the WBA top 10,” Nwokolo said following the rankings update. “To be the only Nigerian in this ranking and the only African in the top 15 makes it even more special. I’m carrying the hopes of a continent on my shoulders, and I don’t take that lightly.”

His rise is deeply rooted in boxing heritage. Nwokolo is the son of Charles Nwokolo, a respected Nigerian boxing legend, and his journey is increasingly viewed as both a continuation and a modern redefinition of that legacy.

Yet, for the 32-year-old, legacy alone is not enough.

“Every young boxer back home in Nigeria can look at this and know that it’s possible,” he added. “We belong at this level, and I’m proof of that, but I’m not satisfied yet. I’m coming for the top five and that world title.”

Inside the ring, the record supports the ambition as Nwokolo holds a professional record of 17 wins and one loss, most recently defending his WBA-NABA title in July with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Luis Sanchez. 

In addition to that belt, he also holds the WBF International, UBO International, American Boxing Federation, and UBO World titles, making him a five-belt champion.

In a division long defined by elite champions and unforgiving competition, entry into the WBA’s top 10 often signals a turning point. Fighters at this level are no longer seeking recognition; they are being positioned for title eliminators and world championship opportunities.

For Nigerian boxing, Nwokolo’s rise carries significance beyond personal achievement. It highlights the re-emergence of Nigerian presence in elite global boxing conversations and reinforces the belief that African fighters belong at the very top of the sport.

For now, Emeka Nwokolo, “Lion Heart 7o7” stands where few Nigerians, and even fewer Africans, have stood in modern boxing: among the world’s top contenders, with a clear path toward the summit.

Abel Yakubu sets a Guinness World Records milestone with a 60-hour programming lesson

For sixty straight hours in Abuja, time seemed to bend around lines of code, human focus, and an idea bigger than a record attempt. When Abel Yakubu finally stepped away from his workstation late on Sunday, 23 November 2025, he had done more than outlast the clock, he had quietly placed Nigeria at the centre of a global conversation about technology, learning, and what sustained commitment can achieve.

Yakubu, a Nigerian-born cloud engineer with NexEdge Technologies in Germany, was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records as the holder of the title for the longest computer programming lesson, a marathon session that ran from Friday morning to Sunday night without breaking continuity. In doing so, he pushed past the previous global benchmark of 48 hours and 15 minutes, rewriting the record books with a 60-hour lesson that demanded mental clarity as much as physical endurance.

Yet the significance of the moment lay not merely in the length of the session, but in what filled those hours. Rather than repeating simple routines, Yakubu led an intensive, structured lesson in cloud computing, guiding learners through practical concepts on Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. The choice was deliberate. Cloud infrastructure now sits at the heart of modern digital economies, and Yakubu’s teaching reflected more than a decade of professional experience working at the intersection of software, systems, and scale.

The atmosphere in Abuja was one of collective effort rather than individual spectacle. Dozens of learners followed the lesson closely, while independent witnesses and official observers ensured every minute met Guinness World Records’ strict requirements. The session was streamed live across major social media platforms, allowing a wider audience to watch a rare blend of education and endurance unfold in real time. “I, Abel Yakubu of NexEdge Technologies, with the support of 30 committed participants and 20 independent witnesses, have been approved as the Guinness World Record title holder for the Longest Computer Programming Lesson,” he later confirmed, marking the end of an intense but carefully planned journey.

That journey had begun months earlier. Preparation stretched over two months, with meticulous attention paid to lesson flow, compliance, and the logistics of sustaining a continuous teaching session. Yakubu has since described the overnight hours as the most punishing, when fatigue set in and concentration became a discipline in itself. What carried him through, he has explained, was a clear sense of purpose: the desire to inspire young people to take technology seriously, especially as artificial intelligence and cloud services redefine the skills demanded by the global workforce.

This purpose is not theoretical for Yakubu. Over the past year, he has trained more than 200 young Nigerians, many of whom are seeking pathways into a technology sector that increasingly rewards practical competence over geography. His message to them is consistent: strong digital skills, built patiently and collaboratively, can open doors far beyond national borders. He has also been vocal in encouraging parents to support their children’s interest in technology, seeing early exposure as a critical investment rather than a distraction.

Guinness World Records’ recognition of the feat speaks to more than personal resilience. It highlights the power of planning, teamwork, and shared belief, while reinforcing Nigeria’s place within a fast-growing global network of technology educators and practitioners. In a world where innovation is often measured by speed, Yakubu’s record offers a different lesson, sometimes progress is made by staying present, teaching continuously, and refusing to step away.

Long after the final hour was logged and the record confirmed, the image that endures is not just of a man teaching for sixty hours, but of a country asserting its relevance through knowledge. 

In that sense, Abel Yakubu’s longest programming lesson stands as both a personal milestone and a quiet declaration: Nigeria’s future in technology is being written, patiently and persistently, one line of code at a time.

Ekiti Becomes First Nigerian State to Domesticate Nigeria Tax Administration Act

Ekiti State has emerged as the first subnational government in Nigeria to domesticate the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing effort to modernise tax administration, improve revenue efficiency, and harmonise fiscal governance across federal and state levels.

The development was formalised on Wednesday when Governor Biodun Oyebanji signed the Ekiti State Revenue Administration Law, 2025 into law. The signing took place at the Executive Council Chamber in Ado-Ekiti and represents Ekiti’s deliberate alignment with the federal government’s broader tax and revenue reforms, designed to simplify tax administration, reduce duplication, and strengthen compliance.

The Nigeria Tax Administration Act, passed at the national level, provides a unified legal framework for tax administration in Nigeria. Its domestication by states is considered critical for achieving consistency in tax processes, improving taxpayer confidence, and enhancing coordination between federal and subnational revenue authorities. By taking this step early, Ekiti positions itself at the forefront of fiscal reform implementation among Nigeria’s 36 states.

According to official statements from the Ekiti State Government, the newly enacted Revenue Administration Law is expected to strengthen internally generated revenue (IGR), improve transparency, and provide clearer rules for tax assessment, collection, and enforcement within the state. 

It also signals Ekiti’s readiness to operate within a modern, technology-driven tax environment that supports economic growth while reducing administrative bottlenecks for businesses and individuals.

The signing ceremony also featured another major fiscal milestone for the state. Governor Oyebanji assented to the Ekiti State 2026 Budget, tagged the “Budget of Sustainable Governance,” with a total outlay of ₦415.572 billion. The budget underscores the administration’s focus on fiscal sustainability, prudent public finance management, and long-term development planning.

Government officials have indicated that the domestication of the NTAA complements the objectives of the 2026 budget by providing a stronger legal and institutional foundation for revenue mobilisation. 

This alignment is expected to enhance the state’s capacity to fund critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social services without over-reliance on federal allocations.

Ekiti’s move has been widely viewed within policy circles as a signal of growing subnational commitment to Nigeria’s tax reforms. As states continue to face fiscal pressures and rising development needs, the adoption of a harmonised and transparent tax administration framework is increasingly seen as essential for sustainable governance.

By taking the lead, Ekiti State has set an important precedent for other states, reinforcing the role of subnational governments in driving Nigeria’s fiscal reform agenda and strengthening public finance systems across the federation.