Business
SME Scale Up Partners First Bank Nigeria in Two-Day Workshop to Ignite Business Growth
SME Scale Up, a leading initiative aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, recently partnered with First Bank Nigeria to host a two-day workshop designed to ignite organic business growth and help SMEs reach their maximum potential.The workshop, held on August 23rd and 24th, was headlined by Ziad Maalouf, the Managing Director Seven-Up Bottling Company, the Visioner of SME Scale Up; Oyeyimika Adeboye, the MD of Mondelez; and Seleem Adegunwa, the MD of Rite Foods. These industry leaders shared their invaluable insights and experiences with a captivated audience of SME owners.

The event, aptly titled “From Seedling to Sequoia,” was a unique and dynamic experience featuring insightful lectures, interactive discussions, and practical business simulations. Participants were immersed in a stimulating learning environment, gaining valuable knowledge and skills to enhance their entrepreneurial journeys in a cosy environment.
One of the standout features of the workshop was the deployment of customized business simulations tailored to various topics, including leadership, networking, commercial acumen, and cash management. These simulations provided participants with hands-on experience and allowed them to apply the lessons learned in real-world scenarios.

Oyeyimika Adeboye, Managing Director of Mondelez West Africa, in her session highlighted the importance of leadership skills in sustaining growth and development for SMEs whilst Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods, shared the mindset behind the Ritefood innovation story, highlighting SMEs need to thrive in today’s evolving business landscape harping on the fact that the excellence is a choice that SME owners must embrace. The SME Scale Up initiative, envisioned by the MD, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Ziad Maalouf, aims to enable Nigerian SME owners to scale up their businesses and contribute to the country’s economic growth. By sharing time-tested entrepreneurial lessons and providing support, the initiative which seeks to create one million jobs in Nigeria by 2035 is being supported by Seven-Up Bottling Company, Rite Foods, Mondelez, First Bank and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The workshop was a resounding success, with participants expressing immense gratitude for the valuable insights and practical guidance they received. Aniakor Leonard, a participant, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I just want to appreciate the organisers for an impactful workshop on all of us. I never attended such an inspiring, challenging, and educative program.”Mosunmola of the Menopause Support Initiative also expressed her appreciation, stating, “A very big thank you to the organizers for this timely initiative. You have changed my mindset. I don’t have to remain small.”The partnership between SME Scale Up and First Bank Nigeria marks a significant step towards empowering Nigerian SMEs and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. By providing access to knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities, the initiative is helping SMEs realize their full potential and contribute to Naija’s economic development. Other industry captains present at the workshop include Head of Wholesale Business, Firstbank Nigeria, Bolatito Akiboye; GM Business Optimization, Intelligence and Tech. Dominion Izedonmi and National Head of Sales, Emeka Anowai and Segun Ogunleye. GM Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company.
Business
FBNQuest Merchant Bank Confirms New Ownership Structure, Sets Stage for Future Growth
Lagos, Nigeria – December 2025 – FBNQuest Merchant Bank has confirmed the successful completion of its ownership transition, following its divestment from First HoldCo Plc and acquisition by EverQuest Acquisition LLP, a new investor consortium led by Custodian Investment Plc.The Acting Managing Director, Afolabi Olorode, stated:“This marks a defining milestone in the Bank’s journey, one that reflects our consistent performance, institutional strength, and long-term potential. As we move forward under new ownership, our focus remains unchanged: delivering exceptional value to stakeholders, deepening market leadership, and building a sustainable institution for the future. We are grateful to all who have been part of this journey and remain focused on creating long-term value for our clients and stakeholders. The Bank remains fully operational, and all client relationships, services, and leadership structures continue uninterrupted.We thank our stakeholders for their continued trust and look forward to the next chapter of growth.
Business
Ecobank Partners with Yaba Art Museum to Launch the Lagos Pop-Up Museum
Lagos, November 2, 2025 – Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading Pan-African banking group, in partnership with the Yaba Art Museum (YAM) of Yaba College of Technology, has announced the launch of the Lagos Pop-Up Museum — a dynamic cultural and artistic experience set to run for three months at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos. The exhibition opens on November 8, 2025, and will continue until February 10, 2026.
The Lagos Pop-Up Museum is conceived as a vibrant, citywide art and cultural advocacy platform. It will bring together artists, students, and the public through a blend of interactive exhibitions, workshops, performances, talks, innovation labs, and community engagement programs. Visitors can look forward to an inspiring mix of creativity, learning, and collaboration that celebrates both Lagos’ dynamism and Africa’s evolving cultural identity.
Speaking about the initiative, Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, said the project reflects the bank’s belief in the power of culture to unite people and drive innovation.
“Through platforms like EPAC, we continue to nurture collaboration, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange which are all key to building a thriving creative economy in Africa. This partnership with YAM reinforces our CSR values around education, innovation, sustainability, and African identity. It reflects our commitment to social impact, youth empowerment, and pan-African creativity,” Lawal said.
He noted that the collaboration embodies a shared vision to amplify creative voices, preserve cultural heritage, and inspire innovation, placing both institutions at the intersection of finance, education, and social development.
“Beyond promoting our Pan-African values, we want to make art and culture more accessible by helping people connect, learn, and express themselves through creativity,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, Rector of Yaba College of Technology, described the project as an extension of the Museum’s well-known “Gown to Town” initiative, which connects academic creativity with the wider community.
“This project invites Lagos residents, creatives, policymakers, collectors, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens to engage with contemporary culture,” he said. “It will be delivered in collaboration with Yabatech departments and a wide network of partners and cultural organizations, collectives, tech incubators, youth hubs, schools, international institutions, and alumni groups.”
Dr. Abdul added that the Lagos Pop-Up Museum represents a new era of inclusive, community-driven museum practice in Nigeria as one that uses art as a platform for social imagination, research, and civic dialogue.
The three-month activation will feature a rich lineup of experiences in a mutating sphere, from archival exhibits and heritage engagement and highlights on restitution, to maker-labs, a myriad of showcases, wellness activities, mixed disciplinary workshops, children’s sessions, screenings, performance art presentations, discussion sessions and more.
Exhibition highlights include:
- Homecoming – A visual journey responding to Nigerian artefacts repatriated from Europe and the Americas and the important work towards reclaiming national and indigenous heritage.
- Adoption – A civic-action space of Art donations and sales in support of youth development supporting tuition and emerging creatives that embrace the spirit of paying it forward.
- Drum Up – A celebration of the archive as a catalyst for development and collective memory, and intergenerational dialogues on a road towards the pan -African memory pool of FESTAC ‘77
- Deep Blue – Immersive works exploring water in its fantasy, mystery, science, and environmental consciousness, responsibility and our planetary significance inspired by Lagos’ waterways and coastal life.
Over its duration, the Ecobank Pan African Centre will transform into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection, expanding public access to contemporary art, creative education, and cultural engagement.
Business
Nestlé Nigeria 2025 Nine Months Results: Growth, Momentum and Sustainedprofitability
Nestlé Nigeria PLC has announced strong financial results in its 9-Month report, driven by
high growth. Key highlights for January to September 2025 Results :
Revenue Growth: Nestlé Nigeria PLC saw a robust 33% increase in revenue, totaling
N884.5 billion compared to 9M of 2024.
Operating Profit: The operating profit grew to N181.3 billion, a 63.6% increase from N110.8
billion in 9M of 2024.
Profit Before Tax: The profit before tax reached N127.9 billion, in contrast to the loss of –
N255.4 billion in the same period of 2024.
Profit After Tax: The profit after tax amounted to N72.5 billion, compared to a loss of –
N184.3 billion in 9M 2024.
Equity Position: The equity position improved by N72.5 billion.
Early payment of USD 20 million inter-group forex debt in Q3 2025
Summary of the results : Jan-Sept 2025
Jan-Sept 2025 Jan-Sept 2024
Revenue 884,536,899 665,289,761
Cost of Sales (557,661,594) (458,977,837)
Gross Profit 326,875,305 206,311,924
Results from operating activities 181,343,663 110,843,852
Finance income 1,785,024 2,930,478
Finance costs (55,173,305) (369,158,960)
Net finance costs (53,388,282) (366,228,482)
Profit /(loss) before income tax 127,955,382 (255,384,629)
Income tax (expense)/credit (55,473,301) 71,113,867
Profit /(loss) for the period 72,482,081 (184,270,762)
In his remarks on the results, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé
Nigeria PLC, stated, “The results for the nine months signify the sustainability of our return
to profitability since the fourth quarter of 2024. The topline growth of 33% during this period,
along with a profit after tax of N72.5 billion, clearly illustrate that our dedication to
operational excellence and our robust fundamentals are producing the desired outcomes.”
Looking ahead, he emphasized, “we remain focused on enhancing our margin
management initiatives, accelerating transformation of our business, while investing in
programs that create sustainable value for all our stakeholders, starting from our
employees, consumers and extending to our communities and partners across our value
chain.”
Nestlé Nigeria’s nine months 2025 results underscore the company’s resilience and
operational effectiveness, positioning it for continued success in navigating challenges and
seizing future opportunities.
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