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Gender Equity Imperative for Sustainable Business Growth—Interswitch

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Interswitch sustainable business growth

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Chief Human Resources Officer of Interswitch, Mr Franklin Ali, has emphasised that for sustainable business growth, organisations must embrace gender parity.

Mr Ali made this submission at an event hosted by the company for its employees as part of celebrations to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).

At the engaging evening of networking, discussions and product exhibitions, Mr Ali said, “International Women’s Day is not only an opportunity for us to reflect on the progress we’ve made towards gender equality but also to celebrate and appreciate the phenomenal women in our organization who have contributed immensely to the growth of Interswitch with their unwavering commitment.

“Achieving gender equity is not only a plus for the society as a whole, but also an imperative for sustainable business growth. It is important to note that a diverse and inclusive workplace leads to better decision-making and increased innovation, which in turn improves our customer experience.”

Further, in line with the 2023 IWD theme, Embrace Equity, the event included a panel discussion that dissected ways in which individuals, organisations, businesses and governments can support the push for gender balance in today’s world.

Speakers on the panel also recognised that a diverse and inclusive workplace is essential for the growth of female employees and the business at large.

“By creating a work environment where everyone feels valued and included, organisations can tap into the full potential of its employees and better serve its customers,” the founder and CEO of Gush Lifestyle, Ms Deborah Odim, said.

While admitting that women are achieving outstanding feats across many fields, the panellists called out the need for more recognition and support for womenfolk.

According to the founder and CEO of Healthtracka, Ms Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, “70 per cent of women make up the global healthcare workforce, while only 6.7 per cent of funding goes to female-owned healthcare businesses, undermining their capacity to build businesses.”

Other notable female entrepreneurs who made up the panel were the founder and CEO of Nuban Beauty, Ms Stella Ndekile; and the founder and CEO of MH Worklife, Ms Blessing Adesiyan.

To wrap up the panel session, women were encouraged to emulate the qualities of other great women who have made a mark on society and to strive for the best in their various endeavours.

Highlighting the company’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusion, in 2022, Interswitch emerged as one of Nigeria’s top five leading companies in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), according to a report by an advisory consulting firm, Hofstede Insights.

Each year, International Women’s Day takes place on the 8th of March to celebrate the cultural, political, and economic achievements of women globally and to also re-echo the call for gender balance and inclusion.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Dangote, German Firm to Deliver 16,940 Metric Tonnes of Fertiliser

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Dangote Tonnes of Fertiliser

By Adedapo Adesanya

The fertiliser producing arm of Dangote Industries Limited has partnered with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Uhde to license four urea granulation units in Nigeria. These will deliver a combined daily capacity of low-emission 16,940 metric tonnes of the product.

thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology (UFT), a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Uhde, entered into a strategic agreement with Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL) to license its advanced UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for the four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.

The agreement includes the provision of the technology license, a comprehensive Process Design Package (PDP), and the supply of proprietary equipment such as granulators and scrubbers.

Each of the four new units will have a nameplate capacity of 4,235 metric tons per day, significantly boosting DFL’s annual urea granule production from approximately 2.65 million tons to over 8 million tons.

These units will be constructed in Lekki, adjacent to DFL’s existing fertilizer complexes, which have been operating with UFT technology since 2021 and produce 3,850 metric tons per day each.

The new facilities will incorporate UFT’s energy-efficient scrubbing system, designed to minimize pressure drop while effectively controlling dust and ammonia emissions to meet stringent environmental standards.

Additionally, the plants will feature the Ammonia Convert Technology (ACT), which integrates ammonium sulfate byproducts into the urea granules, eliminating waste streams and offering logistical and commercial advantages.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Nadja Haakansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, said: “This partnership with Dangote Fertiliser Limited underscores our shared vision for sustainable industrial development and global food security. By deploying our proven UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology, we are setting new standards in efficiency and environmental stewardship in fertilizer production. We are proud to support DFL in building resilient and future-ready value chains.”

In the same vein, President of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, said: “We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology for the expansion of our fertilizer operations in Lekki.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial progress across Africa. With UFT technology, we are ensuring the production of high-quality urea fertilizer that meets global standards while reducing environmental impact. This investment further positions Nigeria as a leading fertilizer producer.”

Dangote Fertiliser Limited is one of Africa’s largest fertilizer producers, committed to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting food security across the continent while thyssenkrupp Uhde’s UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology is recognized globally as one of the most advanced solutions for producing urea granules.

Currently, over 70 per cent of the world’s urea granule output is produced using this technology, contributing significantly to global food supply while maintaining emissions well below regulatory limits.

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JCI Nigeria’s Oluwatoyin Atanda Emerges 2025 Most Outstanding National President

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Oluwatoyin Atanda

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, JCI Senator Oluwatoyin Atanda, has been named as the most outstanding National President for the global youth organisation for the year 2025.

Her emergence was announced on Saturday, November 9, 2025, at a Gala Night of Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress in Tunis, Tunisia.

She was chosen as the best out of over 100 national presidents of the global youth leadership organisation because of her outstanding leadership qualities.

Ms Atanda has been a long-standing member of JCI Nigeria since 2009, consistently demonstrating her ability to deliver results through a detailed, values-driven approach.

Over the years, she has earned widespread admiration for her strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to empowering young leaders across Nigeria.

Also, at the World Congress, she received the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of JCI Nigeria, in recognition of the organisation’s exceptional Global Impact Leadership and contribution to the 2025 JCI Impact Drive.

This honour celebrates Nigeria’s outstanding commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and shaping the 2025 JCI Impact Report —a testament to the passion, innovation, and dedication of every JCI Nigeria member working to create positive change across communities.

In her remarks, Ms Atanda, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Establishments and Training, as well as the Lagos State Coordinator -AUDA-NEPAD/Governance, dedicated the honour to the entire members of JCI Nigeria, especially members of the 2025 JCI Nigeria Executives, for their commitment to excellence and teamwork.

“This is indeed a very proud moment for me and for JCI Nigeria, we made history today, our ELV8 theme of rising together for a sustainable future, redefining leadership and inspiring others to lead with purpose paid off,” she said.

“When I took over the mantle of leadership of JCI Nigeria in January 2025, I made a pledge to inspire transformational change for the organisation by mobilising Nigeria’s youth, fostering community development, and positioning it as a leader in social impact both locally and globally, and I am glad we have been able to surpass our own expectations,” she added.

JCI is a global youth leadership organisation for people aged 18 to 40, dedicated to creating positive change in their communities.

It operates in over 100 countries and empowers members through leadership development, community projects, and international cooperation in areas such as business and personal growth.

The group provides members with opportunities to develop skills, create impact, and hold leadership positions at local, national, and international levels.

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Lagos Signs MoUs with Three Investors on Waste Conversion

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Wastes Landfill

By Faridat Yusuf

The Lagos State Government has signed three agreements with private investors to turn waste into useful products.

The Director of Public Affairs, Mr Kunle Adeshina, said this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the MoUs were to help reduce the amount of waste in the state.

He said, “The state over the weekend demonstrated its irrevocable commitment to advanced waste conversion.”

According to him, the signing took place during the 11th Lagos International Climate Change Summit.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the government wants to move from the old waste system of “pick and dump” to “conversion of waste to wealth which was more sustainable.”

He said the new MoUs would help reduce the waste that ends up at landfill sites.

“This is through a deposit refund system hinged on the Extended Producer’s Responsibility mechanism (EPRM),” he said, adding that one of the companies, HAK Waste Ltd, plans to establish a circular beverage container bottle recycling and recovery system.

“Haggai Logistics Ltd proposes to build a first-of-its-kind tyre recycling plant. This will be responsible for processing end-of-life tyres via a fully automated Waste Tyre Recycling Factory and deployment of environmentally sound recycling technologies.”

He also said, “Mondo 4 Africa, proposing to convert non-recyclable plastic waste into sustainable fuel and other valuable resources through environmentally friendly technology.”

Mr Wahab said the government would continue to educate residents to sort their waste and see it as a resource.

He said, “We are trying to make people change the culture of seeing waste as waste but waste as a resource. We are also trying to shift their mindset from the practice that has been in use for decades.”

On his part, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said, “The state government or LAWMA alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility of managing the quantum of daily generated solid waste in the state.”

“We need the partnership of the private sector to turn waste into a resource and wealth,” he added.

The investors thanked the government for the opportunity and promised to work with the state to achieve its goals.

The event was attended by the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Rotimi Akodu; the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr Omobolaji Gaji; and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr Mahamood Adegbite.

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