Business
MAN Is Wooing Tinubu On Anti- Manufacturing Policies
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has requested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to look into the fiscal and monetary policies of the government that are hindering industrial growth.
The Association also applauded President Tinubu for the swift stoppage of the fuel subsidy, and said ,” It is an unmistakable indication of a far-sighted strategic choice.”
MAN, in its reaction to PresidentTinubu’s inauguration speech, said, ” Change in administration is usually greeted with expectations and as an advocacy group, we surely look forward to a number of policy changes and decisions.”
Segun Ajayi- Kadir, the Director- General of the Association, noted that the manufacturers are eager to see President Tinubu matches his words with actions regarding.
Tinubu had in his inuauguration speech promises ” industrial policies that will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.”
Segun Ajayi- Kadir, listed some of the policies of the previous goverments needing overhauls, to include the followings :
* A marching order, so to say, is needed to move the Central Bank towards a unified exchange rate.
* A reversal of the unwarranted violation of the government’s three-year excise escalation roadmap on alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
- Direct the NERC to admit all qualified applicant companies into the Eligible Customer Scheme in order to allow them access to power as stipulated in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.
- Direct all relevant agencies of government to ensure that the electronic call-up system at ports aimed at redressing the congestion works without fail.
- Revisit the Finance Bill 2022 to ensure it includes the critical inputs of the organized private sector. In particular, the jettisoning of the highly objectionable removal of the 10% investment allowance on the acquisition of plants & machinery (in the Company Income Tax Act, section 32). Additionally, to ensure that the imposition of the 0.5% levy on eligible imports from third countries is limited to goods that we have the capacity to produce locally and quite importantly, exclude raw materials that are not locally available.
- The input of the Organised Private Sector on the CEMA bill should also be taken on board before the amendment bill is signed into law.
*Announce a special policy initiative to address the revival of closed and distressed industries, particularly in the northeast where 60% of our member companies have closed.
*Craft and announce a special policy initiative to leverage diaspora expertise and investment to address evident gaps and help to boost the performance of the economy.
- Direct all ministries, departments, and agencies of government to unfailingly comply with Executive Order 003 on the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products.
In this regard, there should be strict application of the margin of preference, effective monitoring and periodic evaluation of compliance, and appropriate sanctions meted out to MDAs acting in breach of the executive order. - Announce a special policy initiative to derisk manufacturing and release adequate funding for the sector through effective funding of special lending windows.
Business
BUA Group’s Long Service Awards: Rabiu Splashes N30bn on Staff (Video)
Five employees received N1 billion ($691,000) each, while another five were awarded N500 million ($345,000). Several others went home with N100 million ($69,000), and dozens more received sums ranging from N5 million ($3,450) to N20 million ($13,810), ensuring the rewards extended beyond senior staff and reflected the breadth of the workforce.
•Abdul Samad Rabiu
Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, shared $20.7 million (about N30 billion )in cash rewards to staff for their long -service and loyalty across the conglomerate.
The payouts were announced at the BUA Night of Excellence Long Service Awards held at Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The annual event, which brought together staff across BUA Group and its subsidiaries, was designed to recognize years of service, loyalty and day-to-day contributions that often go unnoticed outside company walls.
At the ceremony, Rabiu approved cash awards spanning multiple levels of the organization.
Five employees received N1 billion ($691,000) each, while another five were awarded N500 million ($345,000). Several others went home with N100 million ($69,000), and dozens more received sums ranging from N5 million ($3,450) to N20 million ($13,810), ensuring the rewards extended beyond senior staff and reflected the breadth of the workforce.
The awards build on a pattern that employees say has become familiar at BUA.
See video below:
Business
GTCO Unveils First-Ever Holiday Edition of Food & Drink Festival, Scheduled for December 20–21, 2025
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) has launched the inaugural Holiday Edition of its renowned GTCO Food & Drink Festival, Africa’s largest culinary event.
The two-day festival is scheduled for December 20 and 21, 2025, at the GTCentre in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
This special edition marks a festive expansion of the annual festival, blending African culinary excellence with family-oriented holiday experiences and support for small businesses.
Unlike previous editions, it shifts focus from chef masterclasses to immersive attractions tailored for the holiday season.
Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, highlighted the event’s significance: “The GTCO Food & Drink Festival is a powerful platform that aligns with our mission to fuel enterprise, promote African creativity, and connect communities through meaningful lifestyle experiences.
The Holiday Edition gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate the festive season while supporting thousands of food entrepreneurs who form the backbone of our economy.”
Record-Breaking SME ParticipationTrue to its commitment to empowering local businesses, GTCO continues its free vendor participation model.
For this edition:
– Over 4,000 applications were received.
– 213 Nigerian-owned food SMEs were selected—nearly double the number from recent editions.
– Vendors will offer diverse, affordable culinary options, providing a high-traffic platform to boost visibility and sales during the holidays.
The surge in participation highlights the festival’s role in driving SME growth and inclusive economic development.
The 2025 Holiday Edition introduces tailored attractions:-
**Christmas Village**: A curated marketplace with handcrafted gifts, seasonal delicacies, artisanal products, and holiday entertainment.
– **Large Children’s Play Zone**: Immersive games and activities for families.
– **Street Food Hub**: Showcasing Nigeria’s vibrant street food diversity.
– **Live Entertainment**: High-energy DJ sets from top Nigerian performers.
The event aligns with GTCO’s corporate social responsibility goals, promoting community impact, SME support, and Nigeria’s creative economy.
Admission is free and open to the public, emphasizing accessibility to world-class experiences.
For more details, visit the official site at [foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com](https://foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com/).
Business
BOI, NCGC sign N10bn loans for women in business
BOI said that the programme would support women-led enterprises across manufacturing, ICT, digital marketing, ecommerce, healthcare, education, renewable energy, processing, waste management, and the creative industries.
• Image of a business woman/ BOI
Nigeria’s push for inclusive economic growth gained momentum on Wednesday as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) launched a N10 billion loan guarantee programme aimed at improving access to finance for women-owned businesses.
The agreement, signed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, represents one of the major gender focused credit support initiatives introduced in recent years.
The BOI Managing Director, Dr Olasupo Olusi and the Managing Director of NCGC, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.
The scheme, known as GLOW, meaning Guaranteed Loans for Women, provides for a 25 per cent guarantee by NCGC on BOI loans.
This arrangement is expected to reduce lender risk and create easier access to affordable credit for women entrepreneurs at concessionary interest rates, the two organisations said.
BOI said that the programme would support women-led enterprises across manufacturing, ICT, digital marketing, ecommerce, healthcare, education, renewable energy, processing, waste management, and the creative industries.
Olusi said the initiative was designed to address long-standing barriers that prevent women from accessing growth capital.
He said GLOW was structured to offer concessionary pricing at seven per cent, flexible collateral options and capacity building support, noting that these measures were intended to help close gender financing gaps within the MSME sector.
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