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)
FIDE Launches African Qualifier for World Schools Team Chess Championship in Cape Town
Winning school team from African stage to secure direct spot in December Grand Final under new continental format
Winning school team from African stage to secure direct spot in December Grand Final under new continental format
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced the introduction of an African qualifier for the World Schools Team Championship, with the event scheduled to hold in Cape Town, South Africa, from July 6 to 11, 2026. The championship, which is now adopting a continental qualification structure, will see school teams from across Africa compete for a direct place in the Grand Final set for December.
The African stage follows the successful completion of the Asian Continental Stage held between April 7 and 10, 2026. According to FIDE, national chess federations across Africa are expected to select and enter their best school teams for this new phase. The winning team at the Cape Town event will automatically progress to represent Africa at the Grand Final.
This development marks a significant shift from previous years where international tournaments operated separately. The redesigned format now links regional qualifiers—such as those in Asia and Africa—to a unified global final. FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) jointly organise the championship under this new system, with support from private partners like Freedom Holding Corp.
FIDE said that by involving national federations directly in the selection process and hosting qualifiers on the continent, it aims to strengthen chess infrastructure and development at grassroots level throughout Africa. The federation also stated that private sector involvement would help drive investment into chess education and facilities.
With preparations underway for the July tournament in Cape Town, stakeholders are optimistic that this approach will boost participation rates and raise the competitive standard of African school teams on the international scene. The Grand Final in December is expected to bring together top teams from different continents under one roof.
Source: https://guardian.ng/sport/wstc-expands-its-continental-model-with-an-african-qualifier/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Delta Police Arrest Four Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Firearm in Statewide Operations
Command credits community support and intelligence-led patrols as key to recent breakthrough, vows sustained crackdown
Command credits community support and intelligence-led patrols as key to recent breakthrough, vows sustained crackdown
Delta State Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers and armed robbery suspects in separate operations across the state, recovering a locally fabricated firearm in the process. The arrests took place on June 23, 2026, following coordinated intelligence-led patrols and collaboration with local communities, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
Police reports indicate that at about 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to a distress call regarding an attempted robbery in a residential area. One of the suspects allegedly gained unlawful entry into a compound but fled after realising the occupants were present. Vigilant community members pursued and apprehended the suspect along with an accomplice before handing them over to police operatives for further investigation.
This development comes amid heightened concern over cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in Delta State and other parts of the South-South geopolitical zone. Security agencies have come under pressure from residents and civil society groups to intensify efforts against violent crime, especially as communities demand more visible patrols and quicker response times.
SP Edafe attributed the successful operation to ongoing cooperation between security personnel and local residents. “Our strategy of working closely with neighbourhood leaders and acting swiftly on credible intelligence is producing results,” he said in a statement made available to journalists. Edafe assured that all arrested suspects are undergoing investigation and will be charged to court upon completion of inquiries.
Police authorities have urged members of the public to continue providing timely information about suspicious activities, promising that identities will be protected. The Command reiterated its commitment to deploying more officers across high-risk areas in Delta State, aiming to deter criminal elements ahead of anticipated seasonal increases in crime.
Nigeria News (Standard)
PDP Faction in Gombe Disowns Pantami, Announces Alternative Governorship Candidate
Party chieftains reject Isa Pantami’s reported candidacy, declare fresh nominee ahead of 2026 governorship poll
Party chieftains reject Isa Pantami’s reported candidacy, declare fresh nominee ahead of 2026 governorship poll
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has publicly disowned former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, distancing itself from reports suggesting his emergence as the party’s governorship candidate. The announcement was made on Thursday in Gombe, as the group declared support for a different candidate ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The development comes amid mounting speculation about Pantami’s political ambitions in Gombe, with some party stakeholders previously touting him as a potential PDP flagbearer. However, the faction clarified that it does not recognise Pantami’s candidacy and has instead selected an alternative nominee whose name was not disclosed at the time of the announcement.
This internal rift highlights ongoing tensions within the PDP in Gombe State, North-East Nigeria, as party members jostle for influence and control ahead of the forthcoming polls. The struggle over the governorship ticket is seen by analysts as a test of strength between established politicians and newer entrants seeking to reshape party dynamics.
Party leaders who addressed journalists insisted that the process leading to Pantami’s purported selection did not follow due process and lacked input from critical stakeholders. “We want to state categorically that Isa Pantami is not our candidate,” a party official said at Thursday’s briefing. The group stressed its commitment to unity and transparency in selecting candidates for all elective offices.
With this latest move, attention now shifts to how national PDP leadership will respond to the division within its Gombe chapter and whether reconciliation efforts will be made before official campaigns commence later this year.
Delta Police Arrest Four Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Firearm in Statewide Operations
FIDE Launches African Qualifier for World Schools Team Chess Championship in Cape Town
PDP Faction in Gombe Disowns Pantami, Announces Alternative Governorship Candidate
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