Ecobank, Qatar Airways Celebrate Top Exhibitors at ‘Oja Oge’ Fair

By

-

02/06/2025

Tomilola Fetuga (left), Head of Brand Management and Experiential Marketing, and Omoboye Odu (right), Head of SME Banking, both of Ecobank Nigeria, presenting a cash prize to a representative of Accessories by Morgan for recording the highest volume of transactions during the ‘Oja Oge by Ecobank’ fair held in Lagos.

Ecobank Nigeria, in partnership with Qatar Airways, has recognised and rewarded outstanding exhibitors at the recently concluded ‘Oja Oge by Ecobank’ fair.

The vibrant three-day fashion, beauty, and lifestyle event held in Lagos showcased the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of local businesses, providing a platform for visibility, sales growth, and market expansion.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to top-performing vendors:

Goodness and Mercy Hair won the top prize—a Qatar Airways Business Class ticket to any destination of choice—for achieving the highest gross sales in value.
Clandini received an Economy Class ticket to any global destination as the second-highest seller by gross sales.
Accessories by Morgan earned ₦750,000 for generating the highest volume of transactions during the fair.

Speaking at the award presentation, Omoboye Odu, Head of SME Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, commended the exhibitors for their innovation and product quality. She also expressed gratitude to Qatar Airways and other partners for supporting the second edition of the bank’s flagship fashion pop-up event.

“This fair exemplifies our ongoing commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs,” Odu said. “It provided vendors with a unique opportunity to showcase their offerings, attract new customers, forge valuable business connections, and explore broader markets.”

Odu further highlighted the fair’s role in fostering engagement between emerging brands and local as well as international consumers.

Award recipients expressed heartfelt appreciation to Ecobank and Qatar Airways for the recognition and encouragement. A representative from Accessories by Morgan noted the critical impact of such initiatives in scaling SME operations and boosting visibility.

Ecobank Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group with presence in 33 African countries and international offices in London, Paris, Beijing, and Dubai.

Unity Bank, AfriGo Explore Collaboration to Deepen Access to Electronic Payments

By

Business Journal

-

02/06/2025

0

L-R: Mr. Wale Ogunride, Zonal Head, Lagos and South West, Unity Bank Plc; Ebehijie Momoh, Managing Director, AfriGo; Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, Managing Director/CEO, Unity Bank Plc; and Mr. Ugo Obasi, Chief Operating Officer, AfriGo during AfriGo team’s visit to Unity Bank Head office recently.

Unity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing electronic payment adoption and financial inclusion by partnering with domestic card scheme provider, AfriGo, to boost card usage across its retail customer segments.

This pledge was made during a high-level strategic business engagement held at Unity Bank’s head office in Lagos on Friday, with AfriGo’s Executive Management team.

Speaking during the session, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, stated: “We are committed to making the AfriGo Card a primary delivery channel for Unity Bank. As a national domestic card scheme, it deserves to be promoted both internally and externally as a local solution with significant potential to redefine Nigeria’s card payment landscape.”

Mr. Kolawole also pledged the Bank’s continued support for the adoption of AfriGo cards across its network, while urging AfriGo to intensify awareness campaigns to drive greater market acceptability.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of AfriGo, Ebehijie Momoh, commended Unity Bank for the support it has given the scheme, stating that the Bank ranks among the top five adopters of the AfriGo card and highlighted its growing impact in expanding financial inclusion and improving access to electronic payments.

He noted that AfriGo has continued to innovate with technologies that support instant payments and offline capabilities, ensuring broader access to e-payment systems across underserved markets. He added that partnerships with solutions like Tap & Go have helped boost contactless payment adoption, improving convenience for cardholders who commute for work, business, or leisure.

Momoh expressed optimism about the potential of Unity Bank’s extensive retail network to drive deeper collaboration aimed at enhancing e-banking penetration nationwide.

This collaboration underscores Unity Bank’s enduring culture of digital innovation and its commitment to financial inclusion through homegrown technology. Over the years, the Bank has introduced several digital solutions that demonstrate this commitment.

Notably, Unity Bank pioneered USSD banking, *7799#, in local languages, an initiative aimed at deepening access among underserved rural and semi-urban populations.

It also launched Unifi, a youth-focused digital banking platform designed to meet the lifestyle and financial needs of the younger demographic. Most recently, the Bank unveiled GenFi, a gamified mobile banking solution tailored for children and teenagers to cultivate smart money habits from an early age.

Leadway Pensure PFA Advocates Inclusion at Inspensonline Retirement Summit 2025

By

Business Journal

-

30/05/2025

0

Leadway Pensure PFA, a leading Pension Fund Administrator in Nigeria, has highlighted the urgent need to bring the informal sector into pension schemes early.

This strategic inclusion is critical for providing financial security and significantly reducing retirement poverty for millions of workers outside the formal pension system.

The call was made during the Inspensonline Retirement Summit 2025, held under the theme, “Attaining Good Retirement Amid Economic Headwinds.” The summit convened key industry stakeholders to strategise on ensuring secure retirements for all Nigerians, particularly in the face of prevailing economic challenges.

Representing the Executive Director, Sales & Investment, Oluwafemi Adebayo, Mr. Olugbenga Oriowo, Head High Networth Clients (HNC) Unit at Leadway Pensure PFA, delivered a compelling address focusing on the necessity of leveraging the Micro Pension Scheme to alleviate poverty among individuals in the informal sector.

Mr. Oriowo powerfully analogized the different stages of life to the universal need for structured financial planning, regardless of one’s employment type. He underscored the significant gap in pension coverage within Nigeria’s vast informal sector, highlighting the alarming paradox given its substantial contribution to the national economy.

He noted the critical challenge: “While Nigeria’s informal sector comprises an estimated 75 million individuals, representing a significant economic force, only a fraction, roughly 0.23% as of February 2025, are currently enrolled in the Micro Pension Scheme. These are our friends, family members, drivers, and domestic workers. The key question to collectively address is: What happens when these individuals reach their elderly years without a financial safety net? Without deliberate efforts to educate and encourage enrollment in the micro pension scheme, there is a risk of widespread poverty, placing an undue burden on future generations. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to drive this essential financial literacy and inclusion.”

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by regulators and PFAs to simplify the micro pension contribution process, including seamless digital remittance options.

Discussion at the summit also shed light on concerning financial habits, contrasting the billions spent annually on speculative activities like betting with the significantly low penetration of micro pension accounts.

Despite the National Pension Commission’s (PenCom) target of enrolling 8 million micro-pension participants by 2024, only 77,689 contributors had registered as of April 2022, representing just about 1% of the goal. This stark reality underscores the urgent need to redirect funds towards sustainable retirement savings. Participants emphasised understanding economic sectors beyond just property to ensure diversified savings that can outpace inflation.

Leadway Pensure PFA reiterated its stance on advancing financial literacy and inclusion, particularly within the informal sector.

The PFA is focused on simplifying the enrollment process, requiring only a National Identity Number and a valid ID, and leveraging technology, including USSD codes, to make contributions accessible and help more Nigerians build towards a comfortable and financially independent retirement.

The summit reinforced the timeless principle that “if you pay the price, you will get the value,” stressing that strategic financial planning, involving delayed gratification and calculated risk-taking, must begin now to attain a truly good retirement.

About Leadway Pensure PFA

Leadway Pensure PFA is a leading pension fund administrator firm serving value-driven individuals, corporate organizations, and federal and state institutions.

Built on exceptional expertise and transparency, Leadway Pensure PFA delivers simple, coherent, efficient, and outstanding financial services to clients and stakeholders.

NCC Committed to Rapid Adoption of ICT in Health Sector

By

Business Journal

-

30/05/2025

0

TEXT OF THE SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, DR. AMINU MAIDA, AT THE COMMISSIONING OF E-HEALTH PROJECT, STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, AKURE, ONDO STATE, ON THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025.

Today’s commissioning of this e-Health Project at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, attests to our collective efforts to harness the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve and revolutionise the health sector in Nigeria in a manner that better serves citizens.

The completion of this e-Health Project is a testament to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s commitment to driving innovation, research, and growth in our nation’s digital economy. This is two-pronged. First, ICT can better integrate the health sector into the digital economy to enjoy the ubiquity that other sectors of the economy already benefit from. Secondly, healthy citizens contribute better to the digital economy even as they access care from e-health platforms. We thus enhance the quality of medical services and ensure that services are accessible to all, regardless of geographical location, by integrating advanced ICT solutions into healthcare.

We are hopeful that with its successful take-off, this project will further promote the Commission’s drive to speed up the adoption of ICT in the health sector. The implementation of e-health solutions will streamline medical processes, enhance patient care, and facilitate the efficient management of health records.

With the State Specialist Hospital in Akure now equipped with innovative technology that enables healthcare professionals to deliver timely and accurate diagnoses, treatment plans, and follow-up care, we expect that these will improve patient satisfaction and positive health outcomes. This is because the benefits of this project go beyond the hospital walls to the larger community and set a precedent for other healthcare institutions nationwide.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we commission this project today, we want to reaffirm our commitment to collaboration and partnership. The project succeeded because of stakeholders who worked with NCC, including technology experts and the government. This collaboration has created a model that can be replicated and scaled to other regions, ensuring that the advantages of ICT in healthcare are felt nationwide.

Let me conclude by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders who have contributed to the realisation of this project. Your dedication, expertise, and support have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. It is through such collaborative endeavours that we can continue to drive progress and innovation in our country.

On this note, I hereby commission this e-Health project.

Fidelity Bank to Hold 3rd Edition of FITCC in Atlanta, USA Sept 2025

By

Business Journal

-

30/05/2025

0

Leading African financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, is set to hold the 3rd edition of its flagship market access platform, the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC) Expo from September 18 to 20, 2025, at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, Georgia, USA.

In a strategic move to deepen diaspora and transatlantic business linkages, Fidelity Bank is partnering with Amplify Africa, the organisers of AFRICON, the leading African diaspora business and culture summit in the United States. This collaboration brings together two powerful platforms committed to bridging African enterprise with global opportunity.

“Since 2022, when we hosted the maiden edition, FITCC has evolved beyond a platform for promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports to become a veritable showcase of the immense value Nigeria has to offer the global market.

“As part of our commitment to developing platforms that promote economic growth, creativity, and sustainable trade both within Nigeria and internationally, we are pleased to announce the third edition of FITCC. Since 2022 when we hosted the inaugural edition, the FITCC expo has been at the heart of driving global market access for local businesses and I am delighted that this year we will be in the city of Atlanta, USA,” stated Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc.

Following the success of previous editions in London and Houston, which collectively generated a consolidated deal pipeline exceeding US$500 million, FITCC Atlanta 2025 will convene over 100 Nigerian exporters, alongside U.S. buyers, investors, policy stakeholders, and diaspora-led business networks.

The expo will spotlight strategic sectors including agriculture, consumer-packaged goods, energy transition minerals, fashion, beauty, and the broader creative economy. Programming highlights include business exhibitions, B2B matchmaking, policy dialogues, diaspora investment panels, and curated workshops focused on expanding Nigeria’s access to global markets.

FITCC 2025 is expected to attract over 3,000 participants, including development finance institutions, chambers of commerce, trade facilitation agencies, and multinational corporations. The event is also aligned with ongoing government-led efforts to expand U.S.–Nigeria trade and investment under emerging bilateral frameworks.

Interested participants can register to attend by visiting https://www.fidelitybank.ng/fitcc/#start_registering

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.

Additionally, the Bank was recognised as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

ACAMB Champions Bankers Wellness with Aerobics Fitness Session

By

Business Journal

-

30/05/2025

0

As part of its commitment to promoting a healthier and more resilient banking workforce, the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is organising a special Aerobics Fitness Session on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Lagoon Front of the Eko Atlantic City.

The session is open to all bankers and marketing communication professionals within the industry and will feature a lineup of fun and energising activities aimed at boosting physical and mental well-being.

With stress levels and burnout on the rise in high-pressure sectors like banking, ACAMB is taking, as it has done over the years, proactive steps to encourage lifestyle habits that support overall wellness and productivity.

Participants will begin the morning with a body warm-up and short walk to get their energy flowing, followed by an exciting dance aerobics session designed to elevate heart rates and lift spirits. The day will continue with interactive fitness games that promote movement and team bonding, and will wrap up with a friendly but motivating fitness challenge to inspire healthy competition and personal bests.

“Bankers are vital to the financial ecosystem, and their wellness must be a priority,” said Rasheed Bolarinwa, President of ACAMB. “This aerobics session is a powerful way to foster a culture of health, team bonding, and preventive care. It reflects our belief as EXCO that a strong mind and body, are essential for long-term professional excellence.”

The session is expected to kick off early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning air, allowing participants to start their weekend with energy, movement, and connection. It also presents an opportunity to unwind and build camaraderie amongst colleagues outside the traditional office setting.

This initiative is one of several wellness-focused programmes ACAMB is rolling out to reinforce the importance of employee wellbeing in corporate and marketing communication and the broader banking ecosystem.

The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is the recognised professional association for marketing communications and public affairs executives in Nigeria’s banking industry. ACAMB drives ethical communication standards, promotes internal and external stakeholder engagement, and supports member banks in advancing reputation, trust, employee growth and wellbeing.

Union Bank Sponsors Mathematics Competition for Hearing Impaired Students

By

Business Journal

-

30/05/2025

0

Union Bank of Nigeria, through UnionCares, an arm of its Corporate, Sustainability and Innovation Initiative, recently sponsored the Ajofa Special Education Foundation for the Deaf Mathematics Competition held at the Wesley School for the Hearing Impaired at Surulere Lagos, Nigeria, with the theme “Impacting Deaf Students and Life with Mathematics in Nigeria.”

The Mathematics Competition had in attendance representatives from Union Bank, the Lagos State Education Board, Principals of Schools, and teachers. Ten competitors, drawn from different schools within and outside the deaf community in Lagos, participated in the programme.

The competition, a collaboration between Union Bank and the Ajofa Foundation, aimed to close the gap in inclusive education by creating opportunities for learners with hearing impairments to showcase their academic abilities and intellectual potential.

Speaking about the event, Olufunmilola Aluko, the Chief Brand and Marketing Officer at Union Bank of Nigeria, said: “At Union Bank, we believe that development must be inclusive. That’s why, through our UnionCares initiative, we continue to invest in meaningful partnerships and platforms like this. We also commend the brilliant students on display today, who have demonstrated that their circumstances do not define them. Rather, they are writing a new story that says disability is not inability. They are mathematicians, thinkers, and problem-solvers whose wisdom whispers and reshapes the world positively.”

Francis Ajomiwe, the Founder and Executive Director for the Ajofa Special Education Foundation for the Deaf, who communicated through an interpreter, expressed appreciation to Union Bank.

He said: “I’m grateful to Union Bank for their Sponsorship of this competition, helping bring our dreams to life. Through the Foundation, we are contributing our share to the overall goals of enhancing the educational experience and developing the deaf community. This we have been committed to upholding through organising education programmes and projects that benefit the deaf community”.

The Lagos State Education Authority, from its School Support Section, was represented by Bukunola Famakinwa, who, during her speech, emphasised the importance of the initiative on deaf learners and their community, stating that, “Deaf learners face unique challenges in accessing quality education, and mathematics is no exception. However, they can excel in mathematics and beyond with the right approach and support.” She emphasised the importance of mathematics as it empowers learners to “make informed decisions, solve problems, and participate fully in society.”

She urged the community to collaborate with the deaf community to create an inclusive education system that supports deaf learners in Nigeria.

The top three winners of the competition were Samuel Megbodofo, Tomilola Shonubi, and Opeoluwa Saka, who finished in first, second, and third place, respectively.

The winners, who came from different schools for the hearing-impaired competition, received branded gifts from the Bank, among other prizes.

The rest of the competitors, learners and teachers were also not left out as they, too, were gifted branded items from Union Bank.

About Union Bank of Nigeria:

Established in 1917 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1971, Union Bank of Nigeria is a household name and one of Nigeria’s long-standing and most respected financial institutions.

The Bank is a trusted and recognisable brand with an extensive network of over 300 branches across Nigeria.

The Bank offers various banking services to individual and corporate clients, including current, savings, and deposit account services, funds transfer, foreign currency domiciliation, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing, and trade finance. The Bank also offers customers convenient.

Linkage Assurance Delegates at 2025 AIO Conference

By

Business Journal

-

30/05/2025

0

From Left: Executive Director – Technical; Mr. Okanlawon Adelagun; Managing Director/CEO, Linkage Assurance Ltd, Daniel Braie; Chief Human Capital Officer/Head Management Services, Humphrey Ozegbe; President, AIO-YIPs and staff of Linkage, Oluwaseun Oyelere at the AIO conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Nigerian Delegates at 2025 AIO Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

By

Business Journal

-

30/05/2025

0

From Left: Managing Director/CEO, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Stephen Alangbo; Chairman, FBS Re, Bala Zakariyau; Newly appointed Managing Director/CEO, Continental Reinsurance Plc, Nigeria, Dr. Fatai Kayode Lawal; Director, FBS Re, Fola Daniel; Former Secretary General, AIO, Prisca Soares; Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM, Olusegun Omosehin; Chairman NAICOM; Ms. Halima Kyari; and Managing Director/CEO, Linkage Assurance Ltd, Daniel Braie at the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

2nd Year Anniversary: Tinubu Hails NASENI’s Contributions to National Economy

By

Business Journal

-

29/05/2025

0

A special recognition of excellent performance toward fulfilling Federal Government’s socio-economic agenda has been accorded the management of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

President Tinubu in his nationwide address to mark the May 29-second-year anniversary of his administration, televised live to the nation, hailed NASENI under the leadership of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu for the Agency’s numerous achievements of high impact projects and programmes that are steering Nigeria along the critical path of socio-economic development,

According to the President, NASENI has championed youth empowerment, skill acquisition and job creation initiatives for unemployed Nigerian youths, thus supporting the federal government’s plan to empower the next generation, bridge inequality and place young Nigerians at the heart of national development.

President Tinubu in his speech said: “Nowhere is placing young Nigerians at the heart of national development more evident than at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), where the current management is making giant strides. NASENI has embraced a digital-first approach, introduced real-time dashboards, and implemented end-to-end e-procurement through its Unified ERP System—setting a new governance benchmark for public institutions.”

“Through bold, high-impact programmes like Innovate Naija, Irrigate Nigeria, the Asset Restoration Programme, and the Renewable Energy and Innovation Park in Gora, NASENI drives inclusive industrialization at scale”

“From assembling electric vehicles and reviving idle assets to launching Africa’s most advanced Rapid Diagnostic Kit Factory and training female drone engineers through the NASCAV programme, these initiatives are creating jobs, restoring dignity to work, and opening a future of possibilities for our youths. This is the movement we promised—a government of action powered by the energy and innovation of young Nigerians,” he said.

President Tinubu noted that Agriculture and food security are top priorities of his Renewed Hope Agenda of which NASENI is playing a pivotal role through the Irrigate Nigeria Project wherein the Agency has provided its state-of-the art Solar Irrigation Pump system to boost local food production, support farmers, and stabilize food prices through mechanised farming.

Under the leadership of Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI is building urea and coal-based factories, lithium processing and manufacturing plant, drone assembly plants, expanding eco-friendly cookstoves production lines, rehabilitating abandoned farm tractors, building new Development Institutes and NASENI Skill Acquisition Centres (NSACs) nationwide and many more.

About NASENI:

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is the only purpose-built intervention Agency of the Federal Government under the Presidency whose mandate includes nurturing an appropriate and dynamic Science and Engineering infrastructure base for achieving home-initiated and home-sustained industrialization for Nigeria.

AIICO Insurance Brings Joy, Hope to Visually Impaired Children on Children’s Day

By

Business Journal

-

29/05/2025

0

In commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day, AIICO Insurance Plc extended heartfelt support and companionship to the children at Bethesda Home & School for the Blind, as part of its ongoing commitment to inclusive and impactful corporate social responsibility.

The visit was a day filled with warmth, joy, and meaningful connection. Beyond the donation of essential food items and gifts, AIICO staff spent quality time with the 286 children at the home listening, learning, and sharing laughter. A beautifully decorated cake was also presented to the children, adding a celebratory note to a day that left lasting smiles and cherished memories.

Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Abimbola Shobanjo, AIICO’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Manager, emphasised the importance of mindful inclusion in society:

“Children’s Day is a powerful reminder of the hope that young lives carry. At AIICO, we are intentional about reaching every child, especially those who are less privileged or differently abled. Our visit to Bethesda is about more than giving; it’s about recognizing their worth, reminding them that they matter, and reaffirming our belief that they belong and have a bright future ahead.”

The leadership of Bethesda Home & School for the Blind expressed deep appreciation for the visit and generosity shown by AIICO, noting the positive emotional impact it had on both the children and staff.

This initiative is part of AIICO Insurance Plc’s broader strategy to drive meaningful social change- championing education, inclusion, and the well-being of vulnerable groups across Nigeria.

About AIICO Insurance Plc

AIICO Insurance is a leading composite insurer in Nigeria, with a 60-year legacy of delivering quality service to its clients.

Founded in 1963, AIICO provides life and general insurance, health insurance, and investment management services to create and protect wealth for individuals, families, and corporate customers.

Orange Corners Nigeria Secures Financial Sponsorship from Stanbic IBTC

By

Business Journal

-

29/05/2025

0

(From L-R: Michel Deelen, Consul General, Kingdom of the Netherlands; Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, FATE Foundation, Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe, Economic Policy Adviser & Business Developer Entrepreneurship, Youth Employment and Healthcare of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lagos and Jurriaan Middelhoff, Ambassador for Youth, Education & Employment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands at the partnership signing ceremony held in Lagos Nigeria).

Orange Corners Nigeria (OCN), an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, implemented by FATE Foundation, welcomed Stanbic IBTC, a leading financial services provider in Nigeria, as a private partner. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the programme’s mission to support young entrepreneurs in Nigeria with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to create sustainable economic opportunities within their communities and to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria.

OCN was launched in Nigeria in 2019 with the support of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Lagos.

The model in Nigeria is a Business Incubator, an innovation fund, and a student ambassador programme. OCN’s vision is to contribute to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, by providing economic opportunities, skills, and the right networks for youth with innovative business ideas.

Michel Deelen, Consul General, Kingdom of the Netherlands, said while giving his welcome address, ’’Orange Corners is the expression of our belief in the youth of Nigeria. From inception the plan was to do this together with the private sector and we are very pleased to have found a partner in Stanbic IBTC”

The official partnership commemoration ceremony took place on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.

“We’re excited to partner with Stanbic IBTC to advance Orange Corners Nigeria’s mission of fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, where young people can turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. This partnership will enable us to provide more comprehensive support, mentorship, and opportunities for growth, ultimately driving innovation and job creation in Nigeria.” Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, FATE Foundation said at the ceremony.

In attendance were Michel Deelen, Consul General, Kingdom of the Netherlands; Jurriaan Middelholf, Ambassador for Youth, Education & Employment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, FATE Foundation, Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe, Economic Policy Adviser & Business Developer Entrepreneurship, Youth Employment and Healthcare of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lagos Bambo Adebowale, Dean & Director, The FATE School; Tosin Leye- Odeyemi. Head Sustainability, Risk and Capital Management, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Great Ukazim, Program Manager, Orange Corners Nigeria; and a few staff members of Stanbic IBTC and FATE Foundation.

Mr. Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank stated: “We are going to help catalyse more entrepreneurs and also help the youth. It goes with what we are doing with SME businesses, we are going to be able to scale more, empower them more, and also provide access to financing that will help to support the economy.”

At the ceremony, some current OCN cohort incubatees and alumni members had the opportunity to speak about their businesses, the positive impact that the OCN programme has had on them and their businesses, and the challenges that they are experiencing as aspiring entrepreneurs.

FATE Foundation is Nigeria’s foremost enterprise development organisation that seeks to harness the strong entrepreneurial culture of Nigerians by providing aspiring entrepreneurs with business incubation, growth, and accelerator support required to fully explore their innovative potential, to start, grow and scale their businesses with the mission to foster wealth creation by promoting businesses and entrepreneurial development among Nigerians.

NGX CEO, Temi Popoola, Urges Policymakers, Development Stakeholders to Rethink Africa’s Growth Model

By

Business Journal

-

29/05/2025

0

Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), has called on African policymakers, capital market leaders, and development stakeholders to collaboratively rethink the continent’s growth model, anchoring it on homegrown capital, tech-enabled integration, and bold partnerships as pillars of a renewed African development agenda.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Popoola emphasized that financial sovereignty and economic resilience must be built on deliberate domestic capital mobilization and scalable, tech-driven solutions.
Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that, “when foreign capital dried up and domestic capital stepped in to fill the void, it revealed something powerful: the capital we often seek abroad already exists within our borders. What is needed now is intentionality and a clear plan to mobilise and deploy it effectively.”
Drawing on his leadership of one of Africa’s premier financial market infrastructure institutions, Popoola outlined three foundational pillars for Africa’s financial future: intentionality, financial literacy, and technology-driven inclusion.

He urged public and private institutions alike to “speak the language of capital” by designing frameworks that align with the realities and expectations of local investors. “Foreign capital follows local commitment,” he said. “When African institutions lead with clarity and confidence, others follow. But we must first trust and invest in ourselves.”
Popoola also called for greater cross-border collaboration to accelerate the integration of African capital markets. Referencing the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP), an AfDB-backed initiative, he described it as a model for regional capital connectivity while cautioning that regulatory silos and uneven infrastructure remain barriers.
He pointed to Nigeria’s InfraCredit as a successful model for unlocking institutional capital for infrastructure. “We already have the templates, the tools, and the capital. It’s time to act with intent and scale what works.”
Popoola’s call for African-led solutions comes at a pivotal moment for the continent’s premier development institution. The 2025 meetings marked the final one under the leadership of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose decade-long tenure as AfDB President, saw the Bank’s capital base grow from $93 billion to $318 billion and more than 500 million lives impacted.
Commending these achievements, Popoola urged continuity with even greater ambition and urgency. “There’s now a broader awareness that Africa can solve its own problems. The incoming AfDB leadership and all of us across the public and private sectors must build on this momentum to deliver African-led growth.”
He concluded with a charge to the continent’s leaders and financial actors, stating, “Africa must stop waiting for rescue. Our capital, our ideas, and our partnerships are the keys to unlocking sustainable development from within.”
Popoola’s comments reflect a growing consensus among financial leaders that Africa’s next phase of growth must be self-directed, leveraging local capital and innovation to shape its own development trajectory.

PenOp Appoints Anthonia Ifeanyi-Okoro as Chief Operating Officer

By

Business Journal

-

29/05/2025

0

The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) is pleased to announce the appointment and resumption of Anthonia Ifeanyi-Okoro as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Anthonia brings with her over 15 years of extensive experience in business transformation, operations, and strategic delivery. She has worked in a range of high-impact roles across business member organizations and central government institutions in the United Kingdom. Her career has seen her lead and manage major portfolios, programmes, and stakeholder engagements—skills that are critical to the evolving needs of the Nigerian pension industry.

Welcoming her to the role, Oguche Agudah, Chief Executive Officer of PenOp, said: “Anthonia’s experience working with diverse and influential stakeholders, both in the private and public sectors, makes her a valuable addition to the PenOp team. A significant part of our work involves managing various interests across the pension ecosystem, and we are confident that Anthonia’s background equips her well to lead in this capacity. Her appointment is a strategic step toward strengthening our organization to better support the pension industry and deepen its role in Nigeria’s economic growth.”

In her remarks, Anthonia Ifeanyi-Okoro expressed her enthusiasm about joining PenOp at such a pivotal time:

“I’m excited to be part of an organisation that plays such a vital role in Nigeria’s financial and economic landscape. I look forward to bringing my experience to bear in helping move the association—and indeed the industry—forward. More importantly, I’m passionate about contributing to Nigeria’s economic development by supporting financial stability, improving retirement planning, and enhancing the long-term wellbeing of millions of Nigerians.”

PenOp remains committed to driving impactful investments and initiatives within the pension space and believes this appointment will significantly advance its mission.

Wecass Braun Integrated Energy Showcases Management Team

By

Business Journal

-

28/05/2025

0

From left to right: Mrs. Ezeonuegbu Scholar Ifeyinwa – Managing Director, Wecass Braun; Engr. André Braun – International CEO, Wecass Braun and Engr. Forster Onyeka Edward – Nigeria CEO, Wecass Braun at the official unveiling of Wecass Braun’s latest German lighting and solar technologies in Nigeria.

Hot topics

Business

ICT

Capital Market

Insurance

Hot topics

Business

ICT

Capital Market

Insurance

Company

Headlines

Newsletter