General News
Improved Infrastructure Panacea for Development – Boedinger
Thomas Boedinger , managing director of Unilever Plc has harped on the need for improved infrastructure in the country to foster an environment healthy for industrial growth and global competitiveness.
Boedinger said recently in Lagos that Nigeria’s growth prospect will be greatly enhanced if basic infrastructure is improved to position the nation better to effectively compete among the most industrialized nations of the world.
“I am very much encouraged by what the Lagos State government has been doing despite its limited resources. I am also pleased by some of the steps taken by government to develop infrastructure like the concession of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to a private company to manage. I’m very confident that policies such as these will greatly strengthen the Nigerian economy,” Boedinger said.
Boedinger, who has remarkably improved the fortunes of Unilever Nigeria after two-and-half years of being in charge, said that in a bid to keep the business running, manufacturers have invested huge funds into the provision of basic infrastructure and that this is often passed down to the consumers who have to pay more for commodities than the usual prices.
He also maintained that while big multinationals like Unilever can afford to secure some of these costly infrastructural facilities, smaller companies in Nigeria cannot. “Most of us up there are actually running our factories on generators. We are in a good position to get gas pipeline which will reduce our energy cost already. For us, this was feasible because we have a big size of business. Many small manufacturers, like our suppliers, don’t have this luxury. They have to run their operations on diesel, which of course is reflected on the cost of goods supplied to us, and which ultimately reflects in the price that the Nigerian consumer has to pay,” he said.
Boedinger added that while government strives to provide infrastructure on one hand, it should ensure there is a level playing field by taking another look at its liberalisation policies. He warned that though it is a good idea to try to protect the local industry, using the liberalization plan, there is a need to apply some caution so that the local industry don’t become complacent and lose its sense of competition.
“We look at the import tariffs, which I fully understand is to protect the local industry. But they all will have to be competitive. As a manufacturer of leading brands in the market place, we would like to drive down the cost to make our products more accessible to the Nigerian consumer,” he said.
Boedinger, who disclosed that Nigeria is Africa’s second biggest Unilever market after South Africa, also denied insinuations that the company was planning to move its operations to Ghana, adding that 86 years ago, when it commenced operation in Nigeria Unilever made a deliberate decision to manufacture its products locally. This is in line with its belief that companies should operate in the market where they will like to be found, and where they do business.
Highlighting some of the drawbacks of poor infrastructure, Boedinger said that Nigeria has huge unemployment problem because the manufacturing sector, which is one of the biggest employers, currently operates below capacity. He maintained that with good infrastructure, foreign investors would show more interest in Nigeria, and this will provide avenue for job creation.
“Unfortunately at the moment, only 46 per cent of GDP is coming from the manufacturing sector. This is the opportunity we all have, as a society, to address and create jobs for Nigerians,” he said.
While commending the Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola on his palpable achievement in the area of infrastructure, he charged the Federal Government to be more consistent in the application of policies. “I think the regulatory framework is fine, but it is more of a problem of application and implementation of these policies,” he said.
He applauded government’s decision to concession the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to a private company to manage, adding that the way to achieve sustainable development in the provision of infrastructure is to hold people accountable, provide good governance and let people believe in the government and its workings.
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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