General
UK Reaffirms Support for Inclusive Growth in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Nutrition
By Adedapo Adesanya
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across Nigeria as the country navigates rising energy costs and the growing urgency of the climate crisis.
He made this statement at the second edition of W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, a high-level forum for Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Nutrition and key stakeholders, hosted by Alitheia Capital, a pioneer in gender-lens impact investing private equity firm, in collaboration with Manufacturing Africa, a UK government programme focused on attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the manufacturing sector, at his residence in Lagos.
“We recognise the indispensable role of women in this transition and are committed to expanding access to capital and capability to ensure sustainable growth. This event reflects our shared vision for inclusive and transformative development, and we are committed to supporting this journey through targeted investments and strategic private partnerships,” he said.
The event themed Scaling Sustainable Manufacturing & Energy Transition for Women-led SMEs in Africa,” featured a mix of industry leaders, women entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and energy solution providers to explore the pivotal role of women-led businesses in Africa’s sustainable industrial transformation.
The discussions addressed the acute pressures SMEs face amid surging fuel prices and electricity tariffs – conditions that have made sustainable energy adoption both an environmental and economic imperative. Insights from Alitheia’s own portfolio reveals that adopting renewable energy can cut operational costs by as much as 60%, underscoring the financial viability of clean energy for scaling women-led businesses.
Participants examined practical pathways for women entrepreneurs to access clean energy solutions, scale sustainable manufacturing practices, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s green economy.
Also speaking, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Alitheia Capital, Mrs Tokunboh Ishmael said, “We are no longer just talking about sustainability as a nice-to-have. It’s an economic imperative, especially for women entrepreneurs at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial transformation and through W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, we’re not only spotlighting solutions—we’re scaling them.”
“In our own portfolio, we’ve seen up to a 60 per cent reduction in energy costs among businesses that have adopted clean energy. This is proof that green transition is not only possible but profitable,” she added.
The event also featured keynote addresses and panel discussions with industry leaders including Yemisi Iranloye (CEO, Psaltry), Affiong Williams (CEO, ReelFruit), Temilola Adepetun (Managing Director, SKLD), James Fabola (CFO, Arnergy Solar), Bukola Badmos (Executive Director & CFO, Starsight Energy), and Sarah Ogbewey, (Head, Strategic Partnerships, Renewable Energy & Mobility, Sterling Bank).
Alitheia Capital also launched Nzinga, its SME capacity-building platform designed to equip entrepreneurs with tools for scaling their businesses sustainably.
In parallel, Manufacturing Africa unveiled its Green Business Building (GBB) accelerator, which will drive the growth of green businesses through strategic support on core business problems, leading to the development of an ecosystem for green manufacturing and green jobs in Nigeria.
There was also an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) knowledge session, exhibitions from green energy and manufacturing solution providers, and a resounding call to action: expand access to capital, strengthen ecosystems, and enable policy that supports inclusive green industrialization.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About 1,000 small-scale farmers in Ogun State would be empowered with a mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence launched by MTN Foundation.
The organisation has partnered with the federal government, the Ogun State government, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and Huawei to introduce a digital agriculture platform known as AgriConnect.
This initiative will give the beneficiaries access to mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence and digital tools designed to enhance food production.
The selected farmers are from a state-managed database of over 160,000 registered farmers, providing them with mobile-enabled services and digital technologies supplied by Huawei.
“This initiative is intended to enhance food production, ensure food security, and boost agribusiness opportunities across the state and Nigeria at large.
“These are not just gadgets; they are tools of transformation. With this programme, we are boosting productivity, promoting efficiency, and fortifying the cassava value chain. Ogun State is proud to lead in cassava production and equally proud to lead in agricultural innovation,” the Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, stated at the launch of the scheme at June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta.
He announced the construction of a new cotton processing plant with a capacity to process 100 tons per hour, expected to generate 250,000 direct jobs and position Nigeria as a key player in the global cotton and garment industry.
The governor called on all public and private stakeholders to support the AgriConnect Initiative, stressing that Ogun State is home to the most responsible and best-organised farmers in the country.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Ms Odunayo Sanya, said, “We strongly believe in the power of technology to drive growth, create opportunities, and empower individuals.
“The AgriConnect Initiative embodies this belief by leveraging both global and local partnerships to provide our farmers with essential tools and resources.
“Access to real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best agricultural practices will not only support informed decision-making but also significantly improve yields and increase farmers’ incomes.
“Ultimately, this will contribute to economic growth at both the state and national levels.
“For those unfamiliar with the MTN Foundation, since its inception in 2004, we have remained at the forefront of Nigeria’s social empowerment.
“We have invested over N32 billion in projects and interventions that align with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Mr Atiku Abubakar, has officially resigned his membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
In a resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of PDP, Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, Mr Abubakar expressed profound gratitude for the opportunities offered to him by the party, including serving two full terms as Vice President and contesting twice as its presidential candidate.
Mr Abubakar, who described himself as a founding father of the PDP, stated it was “heartbreaking” to make the decision, but emphasized it was necessary due to the current trajectory of the party, which he believes diverges from its foundational principles.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” he wrote, wishing the party and its leadership well in the future and thanked them for their support.
His exit comes as he joins a coalition of some opposition leaders in the country which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The former candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, also indicated interest in the coalition.
Other prominent members of the coalition include former Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Mr Sule Lamido, Mr Gabriel Suswam, Mr Emeka Ihedioha and Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who is the national secretary of the ADC.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The remains of the immediate past President of Nigeria, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, have arrived in Daura, Katsina State, for burial.
The former Nigerian leader died in London on Sunday after an undisclosed illness. He was earlier planned for burial yesterday, but it was shifted to today.
The body of the late president left the United Kingdom for Nigeria on Tuesday morning, accompanied by the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, the President’s Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and some family members.
At the Umaru Musa Yaradua Airport in Katsina this afternoon, the presidential jet, which conveyed the remains of the late military general from London, landed at about 2 pm, with President Bola Tinubu on the ground to receive the convoy.
They are in the Daura residence of late Mr Buhari for the funeral according to Islamic rites.
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