The Sahara Group Foundation has unveiled the Sahara Community Impact Project (SCIP), a new initiative aimed at empowering African communities through entrepreneurship, job creation, and capacity building. SCIP will establish community business hubs offering shared processing facilities, training in financial literacy, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, and improved market access, while linking participants to financing opportunities through partnerships with financial institutions. Applications open January 2026, with selected participants receiving mentorship and operational support to build sustainable businesses. Chidilim Menakaya, Director of Sahara Group Foundation, said: “SCIP brings resources, skills, and opportunities directly into communities, strengthening local value chains and enabling sustainable,…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The Federal Government and the Aliko Dangote Foundation have launched a N100 billion annual education scholarship fund to expand access to learning for Nigerian students nationwide. The fund was unveiled in Lagos at an event attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, marking one of the largest private–public investments in Nigerian education. According to the government, the initiative is designed to support learners at all levels and reduce financial barriers that have kept millions out of school. Vice President Shettima praised the Dangote Foundation’s intervention, saying the partnership will widen opportunities for young Nigerians and strengthen the country’s human capital base.…
U.S. President Donald Trump has rolled out the “Trump Gold Card”, a new visa pathway that grants wealthy foreigners fast-track U.S. residency for a $1 million contribution. The application portal, trumpcard.gov, went live on Wednesday with key details: $15,000 DHS processing fee Background screening required Employers may sponsor foreign workers with $2 million Successful applicants qualify under EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories Processing is expected to take only “weeks” Premium tier coming A higher option, the “Trump Platinum Card,” will cost $5 million plus a $15,000 fee and offer up to 270 days’ stay in the U.S. yearly without U.S.…
The Federal Government plans to borrow N17.89 trillion from domestic and foreign sources to finance the N20.12 trillion deficit in the 2026 budget, according to the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular issued by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Of the total borrowing, N14.31 trillion (80%) will be sourced locally, while N3.58 trillion (20%) will come from external lenders. The circular shows borrowing is expected to rise from N17.89 trillion in 2026 to N21.18 trillion in 2027, before dropping to N15.84 trillion in 2028. The 2026 deficit represents a 43 per cent increase from the N14.10 trillion deficit in…
Nigeria’s data centre industry is accelerating fast, with installed capacity expected to jump from 65-86 MW today to over 400 MW within 3-5 years, a new report by Verraki Partners shows. The sector, currently worth $1.4 billion, is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2035. The report notes that Nigeria now has 17 active data centres and nine more under construction, solidifying its position as West Africa’s leading digital hub. A typical 1 MW Tier-III data centre drives a huge economic impact: $17m construction-phase output $39m+ cumulative returns in 10 years 700 construction jobs 20–30 technical roles annually Nigeria’s…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved the removal of all air ticket taxes across airports in the sub-region starting January 1, 2026, a major move expected to lower airfares and improve regional travel. The decision was confirmed by Chris Appiah, ECOWAS Director of Transport and Communications, during the ECOWAS Council of Ministers’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. According to Appiah, the tax removal is part of a broader aviation reform package adopted by ECOWAS Heads of State in December 2024. West Africa Has Africa’s Costliest Air Travel Appiah said a decade of studies showed that…
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the construction of a new headquarters for the Bank of Industry (BoI) at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, signalling a major push to modernise Nigeria’s industrial and financial infrastructure. The approval was announced by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, after Wednesday’s FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. Enoh said the council considered and approved five key memoranda from his ministry, three on industrial development and two on trade and investment. BoI Headquarters Gets Federal Approval Enoh confirmed that the Bank…
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced stricter requirements for all online business name update requests, mandating the inclusion of more detailed personal and contact information. In a notice issued on Wednesday, the commission explained that the new measures are designed to strengthen verification, improve accuracy in its registry, and support its ongoing digital transformation. What’s Changing? Effective immediately, anyone updating a business name online must provide: Date of birth Registered office email Proprietor’s email Phone number (either for the registered address or proprietor) A valid means of identification The CAC said these details are essential for ensuring that…
MILO Nigeria has welcomed a new group of influencers to strengthen its long-standing connection with consumers in Northern Nigeria. The influencers include Ahmed Musa, Nigerian professional footballer and youth role model; Mansurah Isah, actress, filmmaker, humanitarian and social impact advocate; Ali Jita, songwriter and musician; Sulaiman Yahaya (popularly known as Bosho), Kannywood actor and comedian Anita Asuoha (Real Warri Pikin), who has renewed her contract as a member of the MILO family. Speaking on the new partnerships, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Manager, Beverages, Nestlé Nigeria, emphasised the brand’s commitment to inclusivity. “This partnership reflects our dedication to ensuring that every Nigerian…
Jigawa State has taken a major step toward transforming its agricultural sector, as Governor Umar Namadi supervised the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of investors for the large-scale production of alfalfa on Wednesday. Under the agreement, the state will provide up to 100,000 hectares of land, positioning the initiative as one of the largest alfalfa projects in Africa. Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Dutse. The MoU follows a high-level visit by an investor delegation led by Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National…