General
4 Tricks to Increase Engagement on Instagram
Engagement on Instagram has a direct impact on attracting and retaining an audience, increasing their trust and loyalty to the brand, as well as its recognition and, consequently, sales. And this works not only for world-famous online brands like Amazon and 22Bet, but also for local businesses. Here are 5 ways to help pump up your business Instagram account.
What Is Engagement?
Engagement Rate (ER) is a measure of how your audience responds to content. That is, how actively they like, comment on, share or save posts or posts.
You can calculate the ER rate manually or with the help of special services.
Let’s say the account has 1,000 subscribers, and your last post has 50 likes and 10 comments. So, ER of the post = (50 + 10) ÷ 1 000 ∗ 100% = 6%.
The more active the audience, the higher the engagement. Then the algorithm starts recommending publications with a high level of engagement to other users. And if you have a commercial account, this factor also creates trust, which then helps you make a purchasing decision – active users become buyers more often.
So, if you have decided to start your own business on Instagram but you are not ready for paid advertising, these tips will increase the number of likes, comments, saves. and reposts.
Use a Business Account
If you’re not already using a business account, create one or convert your existing personal account to a business account. This will give you access to a host of features that will increase your account engagement. You’ll be able to:
- Provide a phone number and email address to support communication with your audience.
- Share paid and promoted content to reach a larger audience.
- Use Instagram Insights, which shows how good your posts are and offers recommendations on how to promote them based on engagement.
- Tagging products in your posts and linking to pages on your site makes it decently easier for users to buy.
- Increase traffic to your website, online store or blog by adding links to them in your Instagram Stories and redirecting visitors there.
- Set up quick answers to answer frequently asked questions by entering just one word. The feature will not only save time, but also allow you to communicate more with your audience.
Optimize Your Profile
Make your Instagram profile special, relatable and useful. It’s important to make sure you’re making the right impression. Pay attention to these factors.
Main Profile Image
It should always be your logo so that your branding on your storefront, office, emails, products and other social media pages is consistent. Don’t mislead people by using a random image. There may be multiple accounts on Instagram with similar names, and you need to convince visitors that they’re in the right place.
Profile Title
Just like your main picture, your title should match how you are known on other platforms. use the actual name of your business here.
Profile Header
Your Instagram profile header can only be 150 characters long, so try to make it clear and uncluttered. In a nutshell, tell your followers what makes you stand out (do you specialize in bachelor party cakes or are you an expert in ikebana?). You can also add your branded domain name as a call to action. For example, “details at www.name.online” or “www.name.space.”
Use the Best Visual Content
Stylish design attracts the attention of a potential customer on any social media. And especially Instagram, which was originally created with an emphasis on visuals. To succeed, you need to keep this in mind:
- Post high-quality images, come up with and stick to your own concept, especially if you’re into fashion, travel, food, interior design or have something to do with the art world.
- Show people behind the scenes of your business. People like that. Publish pictures or videos of your workplace. This will give your audience an idea of how your product is made, show your human face and maybe make them like you even more.
- Engage your subscribers and use their content. Besides having self-generated content, it will help you get closer to your target audience. Don’t forget to include your subscriber’s nickname if you use their content or use special apps to repost, such as Regrann or Repost for Instagram.
Publish Engaging Stories
Stories appear at the very top of your Instagram feed, so they’re hard to miss. They also disappear after 24 hours, which encourages people to view them more often.
Business stories are a great way to spread the word about your company’s events, such as: new sales, seminars, contests, hot discounts, and so on. While posting stories:
- Make them interesting. Stories are about creativity! Add music, emoji, filters, illustrations, text, AR masks (cool if you have your own). Elements like these will really help you show your audience a new side of yourself.
- Use tags. Instagram has introduced many features that help businesses clarify their niche and attract a more relevant audience. For example, you can add location tags to promote your small business locally.
- Repost other stories. If someone talks about your business or you find a post that you think your subscribers will like, feel free to add it to your stories. Social sharing encourages more people to promote your profile on their pages.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.
The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.
The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.
The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.
This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.
Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.
Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.
The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.
The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.
The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.
The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.
The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.
According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.
Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.
He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.
The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.
The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.
By Adedapo Adesanya
“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities.”
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn