By Busola Bamidele The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced a raft of new policy decisions and infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing economic transparency, improving public services, and supporting small businesses across the state. Gover… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Akwa Ibom rolls out new reforms to boost SMEs, infrastructure By Busola Bamidele on July 30, 2025 By Busola Bamidele The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced a raft of new policy decisions and infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing economic transparency, improving public services, and supporting small businesses across the state. Governor Umo Eno disclosed this in a post shared on his X official handle after presiding over the State Executive Council meeting on Monday. He emphasized that the decisions align with the state's ARISE Agenda, a strategic plan focused on inclusive growth and prosperity. Key highlights of the meeting include: – Renewal of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium maintenance contract – Approval of additional works at Ewet Luxury Estate and internal roads at Dakkada Luxury Estate – Construction of new sanitation facilities in Obot Akara, Ikono, Esit Eket, and Nsit Ubium LGAs – Full adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to strengthen financial transparency – Approval of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (2026–2028) – Launch of Akwaremit and AkwaGIS digital platforms for improved governance starting September 1 – Phase III of the Free Food Distribution Programme, kicking off August 20 across all 31 LGAs Read also: Akwa Ibom rolls out new reforms to boost SMEs, infrastructure MAN calls for industrial-led growth to hit $1 trillion economy by 2030 FG launches LEAPS programme to transform public sector leadership Kaduna boosts agribusiness with free fertiliser, land expansion Nigeria's tech startups attract over $400 million –  NITDA Governor Eno also confirmed that preparations are underway for the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, which includes replacing outdated equipment, while the ARISE Socio-Economic Impact Report will be formally presented on August 7. In a bid to support learning and innovation, the governor received the Board of TETFUND, who are in the state to commission critical education infrastructure at Akwa Ibom State University. These initiatives are expected to improve ease of doing business, open up new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and foster a more inclusive economic environment for SMEs in the state.

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The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the government to prioritize industrial-led development as the key to Nigeria's ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.MAN Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir said this requires a str… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader MAN calls for industrial-led growth to hit $1 trillion economy by 2030 By Busola Bamidele on July 30, 2025 The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the government to prioritize industrial-led development as the key to Nigeria's ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030. MAN Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir said this requires a strategic revival of manufacturing focused on high-value, exportable goods, backed by reliable and affordable energy supply. "Without stable electricity, the manufacturing sector cannot thrive or contribute meaningfully to GDP," he noted. Ajayi-Kadir described the $1 trillion target as ambitious but achievable, requiring consistent nominal GDP growth of 12–14% annually, or real growth of 6–7%, nearly double the current 3.38% growth rate. He warned that expanding low-productivity sectors like informal trade would deepen inequality and result in jobless growth. Read also: MAN calls for industrial-led growth to hit $1 trillion economy by 2030 FG launches LEAPS programme to transform public sector leadership Kaduna boosts agribusiness with free fertiliser, land expansion Nigeria's tech startups attract over $400 million –  NITDA Nigeria tops ship imports in Africa, experts urge boost for local shipbuilding Highlighting recent GDP rebasing that raised Nigeria's nominal GDP to $243 billion, Ajayi-Kadir cautioned against interpreting this as real economic progress, pointing out that real growth remains weak at an average of 1.95% from 2020 to 2024. He also expressed concern over the decline in industry's share of GDP from 27.65% in 2010 to 21.08% in 2019. MAN calls for urgent infrastructure upgrades, a coherent, investor-friendly policy environment, and a focus on key manufacturing sub-sectors such as agro-processing and pharmaceuticals. Ajayi-Kadir emphasized the need for a strong manufacturing base, currency stability, and inflation control to turn the $1 trillion vision into a reality. Without these reforms, he warned, the goal risks being "measured only in numbers, not in national prosperity."

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Nigeria has joined six African countries in launching the Leadership Excellence in Africa's Public Service (LEAPS) Programme, an initiative aimed at redefining leadership in the public sector.Anchored by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader FG launches LEAPS programme to transform public sector leadership By Busola Bamidele on July 30, 2025 Nigeria has joined six African countries in launching the Leadership Excellence in Africa's Public Service (LEAPS) Programme, an initiative aimed at redefining leadership in the public sector. Anchored by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), LEAPS is a strategic response to the growing demand for visionary, ethical, and innovative leadership across Africa. With this move, Nigeria joins Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zimbabwe in the continent-wide programme. Speaking at the launch, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Lydia Jafiya, described the programme as a tool to build transformative leadership at the directorate level. > "LEAPS empowers officers with the mindset and strategic skills to drive sustainable development," she said. Read also: FG launches LEAPS programme to transform public sector leadership Kaduna boosts agribusiness with free fertiliser, land expansion Nigeria's tech startups attract over $400 million –  NITDA Nigeria tops ship imports in Africa, experts urge boost for local shipbuilding Govt backs local products in big boost for SMEs The programme builds on its successful debut in Zimbabwe in 2024, with a focus on strategic thinking, innovation, and ethical governance. Deputy Director of the Ministry encouraged participants to rethink traditional leadership approaches to improve service delivery and governance outcomes. Also present, Bakary Kone, Senior Advisor at ACBF, emphasized that the initiative is about "investing in people, potential, and purpose-driven leadership." The LEAPS launch marks a major step toward building a forward-thinking and inclusive public service in Nigeria.

SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS © 2025. Unsubscribe or manage your email subscriptions. Get the Jetpack app Subscribe, bookmark, and get real‑time notifications - all from one app! Automattic, Inc. 60 29th St. #343, San Francisco, CA 94110