News
Reasons Why Nigeria is a Great Destination For Doing Business
By Adeniyi Ogunfowoke,
Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $1.121 trillion as well as the largest population in the continent with over 190 million inhabitants. Hence, it is a viable and profitable destination for doing business despite the herd of challenges.
This is reflected in the success stories of not only indigenous companies but also foreign businesses that started small, weathered different kinds of storms, became market leaders in their various fields and are now full-fledged Nigerian or African companies.
A good example is Jumia, the no 1 shopping destination in Nigeria, which started in the country in 2012. Over a period of 6 years, the eCommerce company has grown and expanded to 13 other countries in Africa and now offers different services and product lines to tens of thousands of customers. Amazingly, ‘this Nigerian company’ recently became the first African tech company to list on the New York Stock Exchange, the world’s largest stock exchange.
To a great degree, there are so many good reasons why Nigeria is an awesome destination for business. We discuss some of these reasons.
Over 100 million customers waiting for you
There are over 190 million people resident in Nigeria and the Nigerian population is predicted to overtake that of the United States by 2050. Now what this means, in essence, is that the market is big enough to absorb any legal product, provided enough marketing and awareness is created. So, you can bring your money to Nigeria and be rest assured that you have waiting customers.
Nigeria is booming with entrepreneurial energy
If you know anything about the Nigerian business culture, you know that it is filled with a resilient and entrepreneurial spirit. Lagos, Nigeria’s mega-city, plays an important role in most businesses’ marketing strategy in Nigeria. Lagos’ contribution to the continent’s GDP makes it the 7th ranked economy in Africa – higher than the GDP of countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia. Business owners and entrepreneurs in Nigeria deal with so many unique challenges while running their Nigerian business that they have adopted innovative business models to work around potential pitfalls accordingly. In fact, most foreign nationals who come to Nigeria for business begin to realize that conducting business in the country is an opportunity to partake in a very energetic and bustling marketplace.
Lucrative new IT opportunities
Information Technology presents significant growth opportunities in Nigeria. These possibilities are endless because it is a relatively new industry literally ‘begging’ for investment. A company like Jumia which has offered a lot of opportunities for young Nigerians to make money, has attracted investments from global companies that believe in the mission and vision of the company. And with the government introducing policies to support the ICT industry which is the future, it is a bottomless pit for any investor willing to take the leap of faith.
Nigeria boasts a young and growing urban population
Of the over 190 million citizens in Nigeria, a large number of them are less than 30-years-of-age. The fact that the majority of Nigeria’s population is so young presents a lot of opportunities for companies looking for new markets with receptive customer bases. A youthful population poses other advantages, such as a larger workforce and a growing consumer class. Since brand loyalty is an aspect of Nigerian culture, having the opportunity to appeal to a younger generation in an effort to develop long-term customers is ideal. Also, with the growing urbanization and increased internet access due to extensive mobile connectivity, companies will be able to tap into an emerging consumer base.
Nigeria is a strategic testing ground for businesses in Africa
For companies looking to perform well in Africa, prioritizing Nigerian business in their expansion plan has strategic importance. Nigeria is strategically located in the West of Africa along the Atlantic coast. Alongside Nigeria’s growing economy and strategic location, the spread of Nigerian culture throughout Africa makes the country a great testing bed for consumer-goods enterprises. If your product testing is successful in Nigeria, be rest assured that it will succeed in any part of the continent. Jumia started in Nigeria and the model has been a huge success. The same operational model has been exported to 13 other countries and it is working!
National Orientation Agency (NOA) has revealed that an investigation by its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMO) uncovered unethical practices by some tertiary institutions, in collaboration with certain banks, that are depriving students of their rightful access to the Federal Government Student Loan Fund.
Paul Odenyi, deputy director of Communications and Media, in a statement Sunday, disclosed that several universities and financial institutions have been found engaging in fraudulent activities that prevent students from receiving the loans allocated to them.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, director general, NOA, shared these troubling findings following a high-level meeting with Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, managing director, Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), over the weekend.
According to NOA, preliminary reports led to an urgent intervention from NELFUND after it was discovered that some university officials had deliberately withheld critical details about student loan disbursements.
Further feedback from NOA confirmed that certain institutions, in collusion with banks, have intentionally delayed payments to approved applicants for dubious financial gain.
Additionally, some universities do not acknowledge the disbursements made by NELFUND to students.
Sawyerr confirmed that certain institutions have withheld information about loan payments issued in students’ names while still demanding tuition fees from them.
He warned that NELFUND is ready to take legal action against institutions found guilty of engaging in fraudulent practices.
He stated, “Recent findings by NELFUND have shown that some institutions have received student loan disbursements directly into their accounts yet neglect to inform the affected students or record the payments in their financial records, leading to unnecessary confusion.
“Withholding critical financial information from students is not only unethical but also a breach of the principles on which NELFUND was founded.
“We are prepared to take legal action against any institution engaged in such deceptive practices.”
The investigation revealed that in some instances, universities continued to demand full tuition payments from students, despite having already received the loan funds intended to cover those fees.
According to the NOA, this constitutes a gross violation of student rights and a betrayal of public trust.
Issa-Onilu, therefore, issued a strong warning to the institutions and collaborating financial institutions, demanding an immediate end to these actions.
He also directed all NOA state directorates to intensify feedback collection from students nationwide to aid the Federal Government in identifying and penalising the erring parties.
The NOA emphasised its commitment to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that students benefit fully from the government’s intervention in education financing.
The statement added that the investigation remains ongoing, and further actions are expected in the coming weeks.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a remarkable $6.83 billion balance of payments surplus for 2024, marking a decisive turnaround from deficits of $3.34 billion in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.
This achievement reflects the impact of sweeping macroeconomic reforms, stronger trade dynamics, and renewed investor confidence in the nation’s economic direction.
Speaking at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, highlighted the CBN’s commitment to addressing economic challenges and fostering productivity, particularly for SMEs.
She emphasized the importance of robust financial systems, foreign exchange stability, and collaboration between monetary and fiscal authorities in achieving industrial development and global recognition.
The President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, commended the CBN’s efforts but expressed concerns over the recent hike in interest rates, cautioning that it could hinder access to credit for businesses.
This surplus signals a positive trajectory for Nigeria’s economy, benefiting investors, businesses, and citizens alike.
News
Senate Committee Partners with Kuda Bank to Tackle Compliance Crisis as Nigeria Loses ₦3.4 Trillion
Over ₦3.4 trillion in financial infractions were uncovered across federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in 2021, according to the Auditor General’s report — a staggering figure that highlights Nigeria’s deepening compliance crisis and the urgent need for stronger oversight in public institutions.
In response, the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance is hosting a high-level workshop to address the root causes of weak oversight and institutional gaps. The two-day event, with the theme ‘Consolidating Strategies for Strengthening Legislative Compliance by MDAs’, will take place on April 15 and 16, 2025 at NAF Suites, Abuja, bringing together lawmakers, regulators, and over two hundred representatives from federal MDAs.
Kuda Microfinance Bank is co-sponsoring the workshop as part of its commitment to supporting responsible innovation, governance, and regulatory alignment in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Rasaq Kadri, Kuda’s Head of Compliance, will deliver a keynote address on the second day of the event, highlighting the efforts of Nigeria’s fintechs to promote inclusion and financial literacy without compromising on compliance best practices.
“When public funds go unaccounted for, it doesn’t just damage government credibility, it affects the entire financial ecosystem, including fintechs,” said Kadri. “We can’t build trust-driven products in a trust-deficient environment. Every time compliance is treated as a box-ticking exercise, we miss the chance to build something that lasts. Fintechs have the tools and perspective to support better governance, but more importantly, we have a responsibility to be part of the solution.”
As a sponsor, Kuda will take the workshop to engage directly with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s regulatory and public service ecosystem.
Plenary sessions will be chaired by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and the Honourable Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. Conversations will focus on closing compliance gaps, strengthening institutional transparency, and promoting cross-sector collaboration.
The Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance Workshop is a unique platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative action.
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