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Oxford Business Group Inks MOU with NIPC
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OBG for the publishing firm’s forthcoming report on the country. Under the MOU, the Commission will team up with OBG to compile and produce The Report: Nigeria 2017.
In the latest infographic produced by the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) charts Nigeria’s latest efforts to shore up its economy in the wake of a currency float and lower global oil prices.
The data highlighted the growing role that banks are playing in supporting business expansion, with lending to Nigeria’s private sector having almost doubled between 2010 and 2015. OBG’s infographic also noted Nigeria’s drive to improve efficiency across its energy sector, which has helped to increase gas production by almost 70% since 2014.
Other positive trends included heightened port activity, with container throughput up by 115% since 2007, the Group found, buoyed by higher levels of imports.
Yewande Sadiku, executive secretary/CEO, NIPC, said she expected OBG’s forthcoming report to sharpen its focus on Nigeria’s diversification efforts and priority areas of the economy, especially agriculture, infrastructure, solid minerals development, amongst others.
“With the current reality of lower oil prices, challenges with foreign exchange rates and liquidity, and lower government revenues despite Nigeria’s solid long term fundamentals, the current administration’s efforts at broadening Nigeria’s economic base, and directing investments to priority sectors demonstrate a commitment to improving the economy’s ability to cope better with such challenges in future,” she said. “I’m delighted that we will be working with Oxford Business Group once again and helping them to chart and bring to the fore, the opportunities that this transitional period in the country’s economic development presents for their readers.”
Diana Rus, OBG’s country director, agreed that like many of its peers, Nigeria currently faced several near-term challenges. “While its long-term domestic fundamentals remain attractive, Nigeria’s short-term outlook will depend heavily on how the country reacts to external pressures, including a rising dollar and global debt sell-offs,” she said. “With all eyes on the new government’s reform package, which includes privatization measures, I’m thrilled that we will once again benefit from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission’s insight in our research.”
The Report: Nigeria 2017 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. It will also contain interviews with leading representatives from the public and private sectors. The Report: Nigeria 2017 will be available in print and online.
Topical issues relating to Africa’s largest economy will be analyzed further in The Report: Nigeria 2017, OBG’s forthcoming report on the country.
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of the Africa, Middle East, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms.The Report: Nigeria 2017 will be produced in partnership with NIPC, Ajumogobia and Okeke, FBN Capital and SIAO.
The critically acclaimed economic and business reports have become the leading source of business intelligence on developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for tens of thousands of subscribers worldwide.
OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
Atte Ayodeji, a Nigerian computer scientist,has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair follicles during hair transplant procedures, an innovation that earned him the Best Innovative Technology award.
Atte Ayodeji
Ayodeji also graduated with a Distinction in his Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from Birmingham City University on Friday, adding another milestone to an impressive academic year.
Beyond his award-winning hair transplant innovation, the Nigerian researcher developed a system and framework on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
His dissertation received a silver award at the PGXPO2026 Winter, further highlighting the impact of his research in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Sunday Dare, special adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Tinubu, celebrated Ayodeji’s achievements in a post on X, recalling how he first met him in 2019 during his National Youth Service.
“In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.”
Highlighting Ayodeji’s recent accomplishments, Dare congratulated him saying, “Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you!”
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power, has said that the federal government plans to end power sector subsidies from 2027 and that there are no immediate plans for tariff increases.
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power
The minister told journalists during the media interactive session at the weekend that the government has announced plans to phase out electricity subsidy payments from 2027 as part of efforts to address mounting liabilities in the power sector.
He explained that the planned removal forms part of the broader reforms aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector, while tackling the financial challenges confronting the industry.
According to the minister, despite the planned subsidy withdrawal, there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, reassuring consumers that the government is not considering a tariff hike in the short term.
Patience Okala, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office has urged African countries to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on adding value to its natural resources if it is to fully harness the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She stated this on Thursday at the Streamsowers & Köhn 20th Anniversary Business Forum, where she stressed that value addition and beneficiation are essential to Africa’s industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, she said the AfCFTA goes beyond the elimination of tariffs, serving as a framework for industrialisation, value addition, and job creation across the continent.
“AfCFTA is not only about tariffs; it is also about value addition. Africa has to stop exporting raw materials. We need to add value and ensure that beneficiation is done on the continent,” she said.
Okala also said Africa’s economic transformation would depend on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA rather than on the signing of trade agreements alone.
“We have moved beyond negotiations. The success of AfCFTA will be measured by the extent to which businesses can access new markets, trade seamlessly across borders, and benefit from the opportunities created by the agreement,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria had intensified efforts to implement the agreement under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, including the development of simplified AfCFTA guides in six languages to help businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities under the trade pact.
Okala called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, and the private sector to eliminate barriers to trade and investment and build a truly integrated African market.
“As we move from policy to implementation, our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities created by AfCFTA become practical realities for businesses, particularly MSMEs, women-owned enterprises, and young entrepreneurs across the continent,” she said.
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