Business
US-based Nigerian entrepreneur set to boost micro, macro businesses
***Says Nigerians need entrepreneurial mindsets to succeed
By Itodo Daniel Sule
A US-based Nigerian entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Black Panther and White Lion, Mr Sunny Akhigbe on Wednesday said he is fine-tuning arrangements with partners to boost micro and macro businesses in the country.
Akhigbe, who is also the founder of ‘A Boy and His Dream Foundation’, spoke in Abuja during an interaction with some stakeholders on his organisation’s plans to support micro and macro businesses in the country, said every Nigerian has what it takes to be self-reliant and prosper.
He said his organisation was concluding plans with partners to train Nigerians with relevant entrepreneurial skill sets and also support them with loans to establish various micro and macro businesses across the country.
Akhigbe said the initiative which will begin in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kaduna, has the target of creating thousands of jobs for unemployed youths and other Nigerians across the country.
“The organisation is going to provide the micro and macro enterprise to people, whereby you’ll be able to give soft loans to small businesses, and teach them the repayment method and mindset. You have to pay back.You take the loan, you pay back. But that is until we teach you the skill sets to be able to succeed in your various merchandise and businesses,” he said.
He said the goal of the organisation was to “create that entrepreneurial enterprise through micro enterprise, whereby everyone is given access to resources that they need to succeed in their small businesses.”
“That’s what’s lacking right now. Small businesses are suffering. There are no resources. There’s no loan. So if we can provide those micro loans to those small businesses, give them the resources and the skill sets that they need to succeed in it, and over time, everybody will be liberated”, he said.
He said Nigerians need to awaken and develop entrepreneurial mindsets to be liberated from the current cycle of economic hardship and poverty.
Akhigbe, who narrated the inspiring story of how he rose from grass to grace bracing all odds by dint of determination for success, said Nigerians can succeed if they develop creative mindset and be hardworking.
“I’m black, born here. I faced adversity. My father didn’t want me growing up. I used to sleep on the street. So when you see me right now, you’re like, man, okay, this man was born into wealth. No. I used to work as as a security guard in Warri (Delta State), from where I managed to go to a local university here.
“When I was a child, I would stay in a classroom during the holiday. Everybody went home because I didn’t have no home to go to. So when I finally go to some home, I’m going to an uncle that’s going to use me in a farm. I’ll be working for 17 hours. That was me. Chewing roasted corn for dinner and lunch and breakfast.”
He said through his passion and determination for success, he was able to complete his graduate and postgraduate studies in the United States of America where he is now settled with his family, owning a number of firms.
He said all the country needed was for the people to change their mindsets from being “fish eaters to become fishermen.”
“For Nigeria to be liberated, the mindsets of the people have to change first. Not necessarily the government; the people have to change first. So, the change you’re looking for in the government, you have to first of all demonstrate it within yourself. I know that there’s a lot of hardship right now but the people of Nigeria should just know that the change is within them.
“The change is within you. Liberate yourself to becoming an entrepreneur. Create that entrepreneurial mindset and be able to fund your micro enterprise. And then once you become an entrepreneur and become sustainable, you do not need your government. You need yourself. Start consuming and creating. Create to sell out to the people. This is the way it is. If you want to be successful, create something. Create something that is not in the marketplace and provide it to the market people and sell.
“And that’s how you make money and become very successful. You know, create that entrepreneurial mindset and you’ll be liberated from all this hardship”, he said.
Following the growing demand for adaptable workplace solutions in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), a leading flexible workspace provider under IWG, has signed an agreement with Chelsea Hotel to unveil a premium 1,500-square-meter flexible workplace in the Central Business District.
The partnership, which was formalized on Tuesday on the 5th Floor of Chelsea Hotel, Plot 123 Cadastral Zone A0, is aimed at delivering tailored workspace solutions that meet the dynamic needs of modern professionals and businesses.
The innovative workspace offerings will include co-working spaces, private offices, and high-tech meeting rooms, designed to enhance productivity, foster collaboration, and provide flexible options for businesses of all sizes.
“Regus is committed to shaping the future of work by delivering adaptable, premium solutions that enable businesses to thrive. This partnership with Chelsea Hotel reflects our shared vision to empower professionals with world-class workspace environments,” said Marc Descrozaille, EMEA CEO of Regus.
With the growing demand for adaptable workplace solutions, this partnership reinforces the position of Regus and Chelsea Hotel as leaders in meeting the evolving expectations of Nigeria’s business community.
This milestone marks Regus’ first collaboration with a hotel group in Nigeria, following similar successful ventures in other parts of Africa, including Ghana.
Speaking at the partnership signing ceremony held at Chelsea Hotel in Abuja, Regus Country Manager, Mr. Ayo Akinmade, expressed excitement about the venture.
He highlighted the potential of this partnership to redefine workspace solutions in Nigeria, starting with a 1,500-square-meter facility on the hotel’s fifth floor.
“This is the first time in Nigeria we are partnering with a hotel group. We are very excited because we know the experience we’ve had elsewhere can and will be replicated here,” said Mr. Akinmade.
The Country Manager revealed that the partnership is likely to extend beyond Abuja, with plans to explore other Chelsea Hotel locations across Nigeria, including Lagos. “Chelsea Group operates in several locations, and this collaboration could serve as a precursor to expansions in Lagos and other cities,” he noted.
The new workspace in Abuja is designed to offer a blend of comfort and functionality, combining the expertise of both Regus and Chelsea Hotel to meet the evolving needs of professionals.
The project is set to launch in four months, with stakeholders and customers invited to preview the space upon completion.
With two existing locations in Nigeria, Regus views this partnership as a strategic move to enhance its footprint while delivering customer-focused, flexible workspace solutions.
The signing event was attended by key executives, including Regus EMEA CEO Marc Descrozaille, Sales Director for Nigeria Mr. Henry Onyeche, and Chelsea Group Chairman Chief Patrick Chidolue, along with other dignitaries and team members from both organizations.
This collaboration signals a new era in workplace solutions in Nigeria, merging the strengths of a global workspace leader and a leading hospitality brand to create environments that foster productivity and growth.
In a significant step to enhance ease of payment across Africa, fintech network Paymenex has launched OneCard Africa—a digital payment card designed to streamline cross-border transactions for individuals and businesses alike. Unveiling the card in Abuja, CEO Dr. Kingsley Chibuzor Aguoru highlighted OneCard’s broad acceptance in African countries and its ability to operate in all African currencies, eliminating the hassle of currency conversions within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
OneCard Africa is available as a debit, prepaid, and credit card, allowing users with or without existing bank accounts to access its features. With a focus on flexibility, OneCard offers multiple payment options, including mobile, QR code, email, SMS, and social media, with strong customer authentication for secure transactions.
The card has already proven effective in Cameroon, where it was piloted for contactless toll payments in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Cameroon Postal Services.
Dr. Aguoru emphasized OneCard’s support for African businesses, which can accept payments through various platforms such as mobile apps, websites, and in-store points of sale.
Users also earn reward points with each transaction, encouraging consumer loyalty. Uniquely designed for African currencies, OneCard avoids costly currency conversions typically associated with international digital cards, reducing transaction costs and promoting financial inclusion.
Since its founding in 2007, Paymenex has focused on building affordable, alternative payment networks suited to emerging markets.
With OneCard Africa, Paymenex aims to create a strong financial ecosystem that empowers Africans to navigate seamless cross-border payments without the constraints of traditional networks.
The Nigeria’s financial markets have received boost after the Federal Government of Nigeria successfully launched its first domestic dollar-denominated bond, raising over $900 million and marking a significant milestone in the country’s financial strategy.
This groundbreaking bond sale, led by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), has generated significant interest from local and international investors, demonstrating confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies and development plans.
A statement by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations explained that the success of the bond sale has bolstered Nigeria’s economic resilience and consolidated its position as a leader in Africa’s financial markets as it has set a new precedent for other African nations.
The statement highlighted the achievement to have signaled a new chapter in Nigeria’s financial strategy, aimed at boosting economic resilience and fostering long-term growth.
This landmark bond sale the statement indicated, has the potential for innovative financial solutions to drive economic growth and development in Africa.
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