General News
Arewa Festival 2025 to Showcase Entrepreneurial Acumen of Northern Nigeria
The Arewa Festival 2025, a major cultural and commercial initiative aimed at revitalising economic activities across Northern Nigeria. The festival, themed “Reliving the African Trade,” was introduced during a press conference held in Lagos.
An initiative of Tripoint Academy in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Nigeria. The event drew senior figures from the financial sector, telecommunications industry, consumer goods companies and entrepreneurship organisations, who expressed strong support for the festival’s mission to stimulate economic and cultural transformation across the region.
Speaking during the briefing, the Founder of Tripoint Academy, Mrs. Shuhda Muhammed, said the festival was conceived as a strategic platform to reconnect Northern Nigeria with its historic identity as a commercial powerhouse.
She explained that, “Arewa has always been a centre of trade, innovation and cultural exchange, and this festival is designed to revive that legacy by creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, creatives, agribusinesses and communities across all 19 Northern states.” She added that the festival would “bring people together through commerce, culture and creativity, while opening new economic doors for thousands of small businesses.”
The press conference was attended by the Managing Director of SANEF, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo; the Head of Corporate Banking at TAJ Bank, Mrs. Onajite Eshareghan; the Vice President for Sales and Digitisation (North) at T2 (formerly 9Mobile), Mr. Ibrahim Katsina; the Vice President for Brand and Communications at T2, Mr. Seni Ogunkola; the Assistant Brand Manager for Culinary at ONGA, Mrs. Babatunde Kudirat; the Head of the Culinary Category at ONGA, Mrs. Omotayo Olaobaju; and the Managing Director of GEN Nigeria, Dr. Olawale Anifowose.
Dr. Anifowose said the festival aligns with GEN’s global mission to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. According to him, “This festival for us is not just an event. It is a movement that would accelerate economic transformation in Northern Nigeria and help to showcase the entrepreneurial acumen and true professionalism of the region. One of the things we believe will come out of this is access to markets for many businesses in Northern Nigeria, and we believe the Arewa Festival is going to be a light that will be shown across the entire world.”
Modelled after historic trans-Saharan trade routes and ancient markets that once supported regional prosperity, the Arewa Festival aims to stimulate modern economic activity by creating opportunities for small businesses, artisans, agribusiness operators and emerging creative talents. Organisers project that more than 200,000 visitors will attend, while over 5,000 small and medium enterprises are expected to benefit from expanded platforms for exposure, networking and commerce.
A major announcement at the briefing was the introduction of AREWATECH, the festival’s long-term development blueprint known as Africa Rebuilds Economy With Agriculture, Trade, Entrepreneurship, Education, Creatives and Hospitality.
The initiative is designed to strengthen agricultural value chains, expand inter-state and international trade, accelerate youth entrepreneurship and enhance capacity in the creative and digital sectors while positioning Northern Nigeria as a tourism and hospitality destination.
The AREWATECH framework will evolve into innovation hubs, annual marketplaces, export pathways and a year-round entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Organisers also outlined the diverse experiences that will define Arewa Festival 2025, including trade exhibitions, cultural showcases, fashion presentations, food tourism activities, entrepreneurship masterclasses, youth innovation programmes, art exhibitions and literacy engagements. The festival will take place over two days, with coordinated activities across all 19 Northern states.
The event is expected to attract entrepreneurs, investors, agribusiness stakeholders, creatives, students, development agencies, government officials and tourists. Stakeholders believe the festival will support job creation, expand market access, encourage cultural preservation, improve youth participation in economic activities and contribute to a more positive narrative about Northern Nigeria.
Organisers also called on public and private institutions to join as partners or sponsors. They noted ongoing collaboration with the Northern Governors’ Forum, Emirate Councils, government ministries, banks, telecommunications companies, consumer goods brands and international development agencies. Sponsorship packages offer broad visibility and opportunities for engagement across Northern Nigeria.
Arewa Festival is positioned as a major convergence point for trade, culture, entrepreneurship, hospitality and innovation. It seeks to reconnect the region’s historic commercial legacy with modern development goals while empowering the next generation of business leaders and innovators.
In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.
Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
General News
DBI Unveils Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Report Highlights Strategic Trends, Risks
DigitalSENSE Business Intelligence (DBI), powered by ITREALMS Media, has launched the Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Intelligence Report (Executive Edition), delivering vital insights for navigating Nigeria’s fast-paced digital landscape.
This executive summary spotlights trends, risks, and opportunities in telecommunications, fintech, digital infrastructure, policy shifts, and investment flows. It underscores digital transformation’s pivotal role in boosting economic growth, financial inclusion, and nationwide innovation.
DBI Publisher, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, emphasized its value for leaders: “This Executive Edition offers a sharp, strategic view of Nigeria’s digital economy during a pivotal moment. As the sector surges ahead, reliable intelligence is key to seizing opportunities and tackling risks.”
Key highlights include:
Broadband infrastructure expansion.
Surge in digital payments adoption.
Evolving regulations.
Investor pivot to sustainable, profitable ventures.
The report urges action on digital financial inclusion, infrastructure funding, skills training, and public sector digitization.
Freely accessible, the Executive Edition complements the premium Full Edition with in-depth analysis for executives and institutions. Stakeholders can request full access or briefings.
Media & Access Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.itrealms.com.ng
The on-going construction works at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State is gathering momentum as the project is envisioned to address the country’s energy needs.
NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State
The project occupying a 40-hectare park designed as a multi-energy hub will help curb capital flight and save foreign exchange expenditure by enabling local production of key renewable energy components such as solar panels, mounting racks, wind systems and biomass technologies.
Speaking during an inspection visit on the project site on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Special Adviser to the Executive Vice Chairman on Renewable Energy, Engr. Suyud Abdullahi Muhammad, who also serves as the Gora Project Manager, disclosed that the initiative is designed to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported renewable energy equipment.
“There will be a wind assembly plant, small hydro power equipment production, and solar panel manufacturing; Renewable energy goes beyond just solar, and this park reflects that broader vision,” he said.
Abdullahi noted that the project aligns with NASENI’s goal of reducing energy poverty in Nigeria, where over 80 million citizens remain off-grid, while many connected to the national grid continue to experience inadequate power supply.
The Special Adviser also emphasised on the project’s industrialisation potential, highlighting its role in job creation and value chain development. The park is expected to generate 2,000 direct jobs, with an additional 50,000 indirect employment opportunities across supporting industries when completed.
“This initiative will localise the renewable energy value chain. Instead of relying on imports, Nigeria will begin to produce and eventually export these technologies, starting with the West African market and scaling up to the rest of the continent,” he added.
On sustainability and long-term viability, he revealed that the project is being executed in collaboration with private sector players, academia and other stakeholders, in line with NASENI’s “3Cs” principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation.
The ongoing construction is being handled by about 35 contracting firms, each handling specific components at varying levels of execution such as Multipurpose Halls for industrial productions, Research and Development (R&D) Centre, Knowledge Park, Energy Centre, Workshops, Researchers Lodge, Studio Apartments, Clinic, Restaurant, Wellness Centre, Solar Farm, Drivers Lounge, Gate House, Internal roads and drainage system and Fencing.
The Gora Renewable Energy Industrial Energy Park is considered a key component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, enhancing energy security and positioning Nigeria as a renewable energy hub in Africa.
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