Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Northern Nigeria are set for a major lift as local and international investors announced over $10 billion in new commitments to drive growth in mining, agriculture, and power value chains. The pledges were u… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Investors back Northern SMEs with $10bn commitments By Abimbola Akomolafe on October 10, 2025 Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Northern Nigeria are set for a major lift as local and international investors announced over $10 billion in new commitments to drive growth in mining, agriculture, and power value chains. The pledges were unveiled at the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit (NNIIS) in Abuja, bringing together governors, federal ministers, and private sector leaders to chart a new economic course for the region. According to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the initiative will open access to finance, infrastructure, and markets for small businesses that play key roles in regional trade and production networks. "The private sector is ready to lead growth, but SMEs are the backbone. We're prioritising inclusive investment that connects big capital to small enterprise," said Professor D.D. Sheni, Director-General of NEF, at the closing session. Read also, Investors back Northern SMEs with $10bn commitments Don't wait for opportunities — create them Lagos urges farmers to embrace agricultural insurance for business sustainability YCI launches 'vision 2035 AI-Athon' to empower girls CBN champions vision 2028 to drive financial inclusion, digital growth The new Northern Nigeria Economic Development Council (NNEDC) was inaugurated to coordinate implementation, ensuring SMEs benefit through capacity-building, business clusters, and supplier linkages to larger industries. International partners from Turkey, India, Canada, and Saudi Arabia also expressed readiness to invest in SME-driven projects focused on renewable energy, mechanised farming, and value-added mineral processing. The NEF pledged quarterly progress reports to ensure transparency, job creation, and measurable impact — with a clear focus on helping northern entrepreneurs scale their businesses and compete globally.

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Many professionals sit around waiting for the perfect opportunity — a promotion, a mentor, or a big break. But here's the reality: opportunities rarely come to those who wait; they come to those who create. Why Waiting Holds You Back The world… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Don't wait for opportunities — create them By Olamide Adedara on October 10, 2025 Many professionals sit around waiting for the perfect opportunity — a promotion, a mentor, or a big break. But here's the reality: opportunities rarely come to those who wait; they come to those who create. Why Waiting Holds You Back The world rewards initiative, not patience. While you're waiting for someone to notice your potential, someone else is showing theirs. The most successful people are proactive — they raise their hands, take on new challenges, and make things happen. No one owes you a chance. It's easy to assume that hard work alone guarantees progress, but the truth is, visibility matters. You have to put yourself out there — pitch ideas, volunteer for tough projects, and make your value known. Opportunities often hide behind problems. The next big opening in your career might not look glamorous. It might be a messy project, a struggling department, or a problem everyone else avoids. Those who step up in those moments become indispensable. How to Create Your Own Opportunities Be curious and observant. Notice gaps in your workplace — things that could be improved or built. Speak up. Don't just think about solutions; propose them. Initiative builds credibility. Build relationships. Connect with people inside and outside your field. Many opportunities come through networks, not job boards. Keep learning. Every new skill expands your opportunity range. The more you can do, the more doors open. Final Thought Opportunity isn't luck — it's the result of courage, creativity, and consistency. Don't wait to be chosen; choose yourself. When you act with initiative, the doors you're looking for start to open — sometimes even before you knock.

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The Lagos State Government has urged farmers to adopt agricultural insurance as a key business strategy to protect their investments and ensure long-term sustainability. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, made the cal… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Lagos urges farmers to embrace agricultural insurance for business sustainability By Abimbola Akomolafe on October 10, 2025 The Lagos State Government has urged farmers to adopt agricultural insurance as a key business strategy to protect their investments and ensure long-term sustainability. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, made the call at a two-day training organised for farmers under the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) in Lagos. Represented by the Director of Agribusiness, Mrs Aramide Ganzallo, Olusanya said the theme of the event — "Strengthening Farming Communities Through Financial Management, Loan Repayment, and Agricultural Insurance" — underscores the need for farmers to scale up operations and safeguard livelihoods. Read also, Lagos urges farmers to embrace agricultural insurance for business sustainability YCI launches 'vision 2035 AI-Athon' to empower girls CBN champions vision 2028 to drive financial inclusion, digital growth FG pushes for women's economic empowerment under renewed hope agenda New fiscal policy set to empower local businesses She noted that many farmers suffer heavy losses during disasters, which agricultural insurance could easily mitigate. "We insure our cars not because we expect accidents but because it's responsible. The same applies to our farms," she said, adding that insurance could soon become a prerequisite for accessing government support. The Coordinating Director of Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), Mrs Aderonke Toju-Tubi, said the training would enhance farmers' knowledge of financial management, credit repayment, and mechanised farming. Since its inception, over 5,000 farmers have benefited from the NPFS training across the state.

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