Nigeria News (Standard)
Expert Warns SME Growth in Nigeria Needs More Than Capital Injection
Stakeholders urged to address infrastructure, policy bottlenecks as financial support alone fails to drive sustained expansion
Stakeholders urged to address infrastructure, policy bottlenecks as financial support alone fails to drive sustained expansion
Efforts to boost small and medium enterprise (SME) growth in Nigeria must go beyond simply providing capital, a leading industry expert has advised. Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, George Ogbonnaya stressed that entrepreneurs continue to face major hurdles despite increased funding opportunities, pointing to issues such as poor infrastructure, inconsistent policy and limited access to markets.
Ogbonnaya highlighted that while government and private sector interventions have made more funds available for SMEs in recent years, many businesses still struggle to survive or scale up. “The reality is that capital alone cannot solve the challenges facing Nigerian SMEs,” he said during a stakeholder meeting. “We must also address electricity supply, transportation, and regulatory barriers if we want real growth in this sector.”
SMEs account for an estimated 48 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and employ over 80 percent of the country’s workforce, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). However, the sector continues to face persistent challenges ranging from unreliable power supply and high logistics costs to frequent policy changes. These factors often undermine the effectiveness of loan schemes and other financial initiatives aimed at supporting business owners.
Ogbonnaya called for a coordinated approach involving federal and state governments, development agencies and private investors. He urged policymakers to streamline regulations and invest in infrastructure projects that would lower operational costs for SMEs. “If we focus only on giving money without fixing these underlying problems, we will keep seeing high failure rates,” he cautioned.
He also encouraged SME owners to seek out training and mentorship opportunities while leveraging digital tools to expand their reach. The expert’s remarks come amid renewed calls for economic diversification as Nigeria seeks new engines of growth beyond oil revenue.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ibadan Parents Seek Review of UK Robbery Conviction as Nigerian Student Awaits Sentencing
Family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola claims evidence is circumstantial; sentencing set for July 27 in Nottingham prison
Family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola claims evidence is circumstantial; sentencing set for July 27 in Nottingham prison
The family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, a Nigerian student convicted of robbery and blackmail in the United Kingdom, has called for an urgent review of his conviction, insisting their son is innocent. The appeal was made by his parents, Mr. Aderinkola Akinrinola and Mrs. Olayinka Akinrinola, in a statement released in Ibadan on Tuesday following the verdict delivered by a UK court on June 19, 2026.
Oluwatobiloba is currently being held in a Nottingham prison pending his sentencing, which has been fixed for July 27. His parents allege that the conviction was based largely on circumstantial evidence, including his association with the principal suspect and photographic as well as CCTV material presented during trial. According to them, prosecutors relied heavily on an image showing their son with the main suspect, Richile Vagnu, and CCTV footage said to have captured Oluwatobiloba entering the venue where the incident occurred on November 21, 2025.
The family maintains that Oluwatobiloba only met Vagnu shortly after he gained admission into Leicester University in September 2025 and described their relationship as casual. They argue that their son’s presence at the scene was coincidental and not indicative of any involvement in criminal activity. “Our son has no history of crime or misconduct,” Mr. and Mrs. Akinrinola stated.
The case has raised concerns among Nigerians at home and abroad regarding due process for citizens facing legal challenges overseas. Legal experts note that while UK courts generally uphold strict standards of evidence, appeals are possible if there are questions about the fairness of proceedings or reliability of proof presented at trial.
With sentencing scheduled for July 27, the Akinrinola family says they will pursue all available legal avenues to clear their son’s name. Advocacy groups have also urged relevant Nigerian authorities to provide consular support to ensure Oluwatobiloba’s rights are fully protected throughout the process.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Advocacy Group Urges Men to Back Girls’ Education with Tangible Action
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
An advocacy group in Lagos has called on Nigerian men to move beyond verbal support and take concrete steps towards advancing girls’ education. The appeal was made on Thursday, 25 June, during an event focused on promoting gender equality and access to quality education for girls across the state.
The group stated that while many men publicly endorse the importance of educating girls, there is a noticeable gap between this rhetoric and actual support in communities. Representatives at the event urged men—especially fathers, community leaders, and policymakers—to play active roles in ensuring more girls are enrolled in school and supported throughout their educational journeys.
According to the organisation, sustained progress in female education is crucial for Nigeria’s development, particularly as data from the United Nations shows that millions of girls remain out of school nationwide. Stakeholders at the event said entrenched cultural beliefs and financial barriers continue to hinder girls’ access to learning opportunities, especially in rural and low-income urban areas like parts of Lagos.
Speaking at the gathering, group leaders emphasised that visible participation by men can help dismantle stereotypes around gender roles. “It is not enough to say we support girls’ education; we must show it through our actions,” one representative said, urging fathers to prioritise their daughters’ schooling as much as their sons’. No government official had issued a statement as at press time.
The advocacy group plans further engagements with local communities and has called on relevant authorities to implement policies that will make schools safer and more accessible for girls. They also encouraged fellow civil society organisations to intensify awareness campaigns targeting both men and women.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Building Collapses in Lagos Island, Follows Port Harcourt Tragedy Within 24 Hours
Incident raises safety concerns as authorities begin investigation; no official casualty figure released yet by Lagos officials
Incident raises safety concerns as authorities begin investigation; no official casualty figure released yet by Lagos officials
A building collapsed on Lagos Island in Lagos State on Thursday, barely a day after a similar incident was reported in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The latest collapse has heightened anxiety among residents and raised fresh questions over building safety compliance in major urban centres.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, though the exact address and number of casualties have not been confirmed by emergency agencies as at the time of filing this report. Witnesses said rescue operations began shortly after the collapse, with first responders and community members working to clear debris and search for any trapped victims.
This latest tragedy comes just 24 hours after another building came down in Port Harcourt, highlighting ongoing concerns about structural integrity and enforcement of construction regulations across the country. Building collapses remain a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s urban areas, with experts citing factors such as poor workmanship, substandard materials, and weak regulatory oversight as contributing causes.
Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have commenced investigations into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse. As at press time, there were no confirmed reports from either LASEMA or Lagos State Government regarding fatalities or injuries. Efforts to reach relevant authorities for comment were unsuccessful.
With two major collapses within two days in different parts of southern Nigeria, stakeholders are urging government agencies to step up monitoring of construction activities and enforce stricter penalties for violations. Many residents are calling for renewed attention to building codes and routine inspections to avert further loss of lives and property.
Ibadan Parents Seek Review of UK Robbery Conviction as Nigerian Student Awaits Sentencing
Lagos Advocacy Group Urges Men to Back Girls’ Education with Tangible Action
Building Collapses in Lagos Island, Follows Port Harcourt Tragedy Within 24 Hours
Chief Austin Albert Urges Nigerians at Lagos Conference to Rethink Wealth Creation Strategies
NDLEA Arrests 306 Suspected Drug Offenders, Shuts Down Meth Lab in Ogun State
Lagos Court Remands TikToker Immunizer Over Alleged Cyberbullying of Mohbad’s Widow
Lagos Police Foil Attempted Abduction of Newborns by Woman Disguised as Nurse
CISLAC, HEDA Condemn Assault on Sowore and Mob Killing in Kaduna
Access Holdings Executive Director Retires from Board, Company Announces Leadership Transition
Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Appeals Court Order for Arrest over Alleged Forgery in Enugu
Environment Minister Urges Increased Investment in Nigeria’s Green Economy Ahead of Global Climate Summit
Gọvanmenti Nigeria Kwupụtara 53 Orù Anyanwụ Maka Ike Ọhụrụ N’iru Afọ 2050
Moniepoint Graduates Second DreamDevs Cohort in Lagos to Strengthen Nigeria’s Engineering Workforce
Lagos FMCG Giants Record ₦18.9bn Rise in Production Costs, Earnings Hit by Inflation in Q1
FG Launches $500m Abuja Formula 1 Bid, Targets Africa’s First Grand Prix Since 1993
Lagos Residents Spend Over ₦50bn on US Visa Applications Amid Tighter Entry Rules
Lagos Police Arrest Doctor, Birth Attendant Over Alleged Sale of Newborn for ₦2.5m
Fresh Romance Rumours Trail Lando Norris as Alix Earle Sparks Drama in Monaco
Lagos Court Declares National Assembly’s ₦110bn Vehicle and Allowance Spending Unlawful
