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Top 5 Zoho Platforms Helping Businesses Thrive in Nigeria
By Kehinde Ogundare, Country Manager, Zoho Nigeria
Nigeria, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, boasts a thriving business ecosystem characterised by its dynamism and resilience. Nigerian enterprises are widely recognised for their tenacity and relentless pursuit of global competitiveness.
A report by McKinsey reveals that responses to Covid-19 have sped up the adoption of digital technologies by several years. Companies have accelerated the digitisation of their customer and supply-chain interactions, and of their internal operations by three to four years.
In the current era of digital advancements, Nigerian businesses are acutely aware of the significance of embracing cutting-edge software solutions to optimise their operations and augment productivity. The pursuit of efficient and all-encompassing technological tools remains a paramount objective for these enterprises. Forward-thinking businesses recognise that investing in technological solutions is a strategic decision, pivotal to achieving sustained growth.
Zoho serves as a prominent example, offering a diverse array of platforms that facilitate not only the digital transformation of business processes, but also the automation of operational workflows. Here is a compilation of the five preeminent Zoho platforms that Nigerian businesses are harnessing to propel their growth.
Driving enterprise collaboration
In the pursuit of business success, effective communication and collaboration are essential. Recognising the value of collaborative efforts and the importance of internal communication, enterprises are increasingly prioritising cost-effective technological solutions. According to a survey, 75% of employees consider teamwork and collaboration highly significant.
Zoho Workplace, a unified enterprise collaboration platform, offers Nigerian businesses the means to foster strong collaboration amongst internal teams and external stakeholders through its email (that can be shared), online office suite (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and document management), video conferencing and webinar tool, and social intranet.
The recently-revamped word processor, Zoho Writer, presents a departure from the conventional Word-style interface, opting for a formatting sidebar that not only enhances visual appeal but also facilitates the creation of sophisticated and professional documents by offering AI-driven insights such as wordy phrases to improve writing quality.
With Zoho Workplace, users get a unified view of all their work. For improving productivity, it also offers drag-and-drop functionality across apps such as the ability to drag an email attachment and drop it into a colleague’s chat to send it directly. The platform can be extended to third-party application widgets in case a company is using multiple productivity and collaboration apps.
Unify with platforms
Managing multiple software applications can pose significant challenges and high costs for Nigerian businesses. However, adopting a unified platform offers numerous advantages, including seamless contextual data flow, improved data analytics, an enhanced Management Information System (MIS), and better decision-making capabilities, all of which contribute to business growth and profitability.
Zoho One uniquely offers the most comprehensive, unified, and centralised platform for users to run their entire business in the cloud, eliminating the need for multiple, asynchronous business management applications that do not seamlessly integrate with one another. This eliminates the problem of data silos, multi-vendor contracts, and integration hassles. Zoho serves as a cohesive solution, empowering businesses to streamline their operations and maximize productivity. With approximately 45 integrated applications spanning critical domains such as CRM, project management, finance, and HR, Zoho One provides a cost-effective and customised solution tailored to meet the unique requirements of each customer.
The increasing adoption of Zoho One in Nigeria can be attributed to the growing need for enterprises to consolidate their technological infrastructure onto a unified platform. By leveraging Zoho One, businesses can transform their fragmented activities into a connected and agile organisation, establishing Zoho One as the operating system of choice for Nigerian businesses
Build the customer experience
APSIS reports that 68% of B2B companies encounter difficulties in generating leads. Effective customer relationship management (CRM) is vital for the growth of businesses, particularly in Nigeria’s highly competitive market. Zoho CRM empowers Nigerian enterprises by efficiently managing their sales, marketing, and customer support processes.
Zoho CRM offers a comprehensive range of features like lead management, sales automation, and analytics, enabling businesses to nurture leads, close deals, and enhance customer relationships. A well-considered CRM investment streamlines sales activities, improves lead conversion rates, and increases revenue. Integrating emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, helps salespeople gain insights such as the best time to contact a lead.
Zoho CRM’s mobile app stands out with essential features, remote analytics access, AI-powered insights, and seamless collaboration for businesses on the move. It provides user-friendly contact and deal management, along with unique features like running macros and converting leads with associated accounts and deals.
Customer support
Successful businesses comprehend the strategic significance of delivering exemplary customer service, as it plays a pivotal role in fostering repeat purchases, retaining customers, and ultimately augmenting revenue. Nigerian enterprises, cognizant of this fact, place paramount importance on providing exceptional customer support as a fundamental tenet of their approach to cultivating enduring customer loyalty.
Zoho Desk, a comprehensive customer support software, serves as a central hub for managing customer inquiries and enables businesses to deliver prompt and efficient support. With features such as customer support tickets, a dedicated support portal, contract management, and robust report creation capabilities, Zoho Desk empowers Nigerian businesses to provide unparalleled support experiences. By leveraging these powerful tools, businesses can elevate customer satisfaction levels, foster long-term customer retention, and ultimately drive business growth.
Managing people
The post-COVID-19 landscape has witnessed significant shifts in job search and hiring practices. For Nigerian businesses striving to cultivate a productive workforce, effective human resource management has become paramount. Now, more than ever, businesses recognise the criticality of establishing an enabling work environment to mitigate employee turnover and foster long-term employee retention.
Zoho People, a cloud-based HR management platform, simplifies HR processes and improves employee management. With features, such as recruitment management, time tracking, leave management, and performance evaluations, Zoho People assists businesses, addresses HR challenges, and optimises HR operations.
In Nigeria’s dynamic business landscape, harnessing efficient software solutions is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and flourishing. Businesses require a comprehensive suite of integrated applications that offer customization and scalability, while also providing seamless access via cloud-based and mobile platforms. Affordability is a key consideration, alongside the ability to seamlessly integrate with third-party systems. Additionally, exceptional customer support plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal utilization of these software solutions. By embracing these attributes, businesses can effectively navigate the digital era and establish a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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Davido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is excited to announce the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration of African art, culture, innovation, and connection, culminating in the End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards
This historic occasion marks the first time the world-famous Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony—traditionally held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
The week will feature events such as Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition (Afrobeat Meets Diaspora), Cultural Heritage Day, and Business Leadership Luncheons, all culminating in the awards celebration.
The evening will honor the Best & Brightest of the Year, recognizing exceptional individuals and institutions whose work has advanced Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across business, government, media, culture, and technology.
Key Recognitions for 2025
– Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, honored alongside Lagos as City of the Year for its global leadership in culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
– Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be honoured as Minister of the Year for her contribution to the creative economy’s role in nation branding and cultural diplomacy.
– Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
– Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, OANDO
– CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; who will deliver a keynote address, recognized for his transformative leadership and impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Others include; Karl Toriola of MTN as CEO of the year, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija as Lifestyle Personality Of The Year, Ojy Okpe of Artise News as Most Influential News Anchor Of The Year, Stephanie Busari as Media Executive of the Year, Kayode Okikiolu as Pressman of the year, Davido as Artist of the year and several others.
In celebrating this year’s honorees, Michael Ehindero, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, owners of Martell Cognac, who emerged as Brand Of The Year expressed deep appreciation for the brand’s continued global recognition, saying: “It’s a great reward for the team who’s delivered Martell excellently in Nigeria over the years.
“We say thank you to the teams, we say thank you to our consumers and we say thank you to MIPAD.
“Martell has a lot of promising experiences in the years to come in Nigeria and with this we invite you over to Nigeria to experience Detty December”.
The ceremony will also celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 Honorees, alongside past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their year of recognition in New York.
“For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa Family — right here in Lagos,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD. “This is more than an event; it’s a movement uniting the best of us — connecting, collaborating, and working together to change the world.”
Event Details
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
– Friday, Dec 19 – #DettyDec Diaspora Day at Fela Exhibition FREE
– Sunday, Dec 21 – End of Year Recognition & Award Ceremony STRICTLY BY INVITATION
🎟️ RSVP: https://rsvp.oakenevents.com/mipad
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for urgent adoption of advanced digital protections after blocking seven piracy sites amid escalating online threats to Nollywood content.
The call was made during a webinar hosted by Greychapel Legal titled “Clicks, Streams, and Copyright: Who Owns Nollywood’s Digital Future?”, which brought together filmmakers, regulators, entertainment lawyers and media strategists to examine how content ownership and copyright enforcement are being reshaped by the digital age.
Lynda Alphaeus, director and head of the NCC Lagos Office, said the Commission has intensified its efforts to combat piracy across digital channels and is upgrading its operations to meet emerging threats.
According to her, Nigeria’s new Copyright Act was deliberately updated to strengthen creators’ rights amid the explosion of online distribution.
“NCC has worked, and is still working tirelessly to adapt Nigeria’s legal framework to cope with digital distribution challenges. We now have the power to block networks publishing illegal content, and we have already blocked seven websites distributing pirated Nigerian works,” Alphaeus said.
She revealed that the Commission has established a special taskforce known as the STOP Unit to coordinate anti-piracy operations online, alongside new awareness campaigns targeting local markets and schools to educate content creators and the public on copyright obligations.
Alphaeus urged filmmakers and producers to take ownership of their digital safety by deploying available technological protections to safeguard their intellectual property.
She explained that tools such as encryption help prevent unauthorised copying, blockchain technology offers immutable proof of ownership, digital watermarking allows creators to trace illegal uploads, while cloud security and regular offline backups protect creative files before they reach the market.
While noting that copyright in Nigeria does not legally require registration, she stressed that registering one’s work strengthens protection and provides legal presumptions that can be vital in enforcement.
“Whatever you register is presumed to be yours until proven otherwise,” she said, urging creators to invest in copyright knowledge as part of their business strategy.
Other speakers at the webinar reinforced the urgency of protecting Nollywood’s digital assets.
James Omokwe, film director, noted that while streaming platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for visibility and monetisation, they have also opened new vectors for intellectual property theft and unauthorised redistribution.
Solafunmi Laelle, media strategist, added that audience data, which streaming platforms rely heavily on, will increasingly determine leverage and value in film licensing negotiations.
According to her, creators who lose control of their intellectual property, whether through piracy or unfavourable contracts, also lose access to valuable data that could shape their long-term earnings.
Nky Ofeimun, entertainment lawyer, emphasised the need for creators to understand the contractual implications of ownership, platform exclusivity, and reversion rights.
She noted that many filmmakers still underestimate how quickly digital copies can be illegally duplicated or uploaded once control is lost.
The panelists agreed that as Nollywood deepens its digital footprint, piracy will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated.
They stressed that the industry must respond with equally sophisticated tools, stronger contract negotiation, and improved education around copyright.
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