Business
What You Should Know About Boats Building And Why It’s Profitable
For thousands of years, people have been using boats as a means of traveling, trading, and even for sports on water.
But how are boats built? What are the raw materials and tools for building boats? Again, how long does it take to build a boat, and what of the apprenticeship scheme?
Mr AGOSU MATTHEW, a local boat (also called canoe) builder at Badore waterfronts fishermen’s settlement, Ajah Town in Lagos State, shares the answers with our Editor, Franklin Ocheneyi.
Happy reading:
Tell our readers about yourself.
My name is Agosu Matthew. I am a skilled boat builder. What motivated you to go into building boats?
First, I started as a fisherman. As time passed, I thought deeply about what else I could do to enhance my income from the fishing business.
I consulted with some of my co-fishermen. They advised that I go into boat building, which is an extension of the business.
How long have you been building boats?
I started 25 years ago.
It took me 14 years to acquire the skills, up to 2013, when I graduated from my master.
What are the tools for boat building?
The traditional tools include hammer hammer, axe, nails, Cutlass, and scissors, etc.
What about the woods?
We use the following woods: Opepe, Eru, Agboin, Afara, and parateru
Where do you get these woods?
Makoko at Lagos Island, and Itamagba sawmills market at Ikorodu.
How many pieces of wood make a boat?
It depends on the size of the boat.
For a big boat with 8-10 passenger capacity, we use about twelve pieces of wood.
The small boat takes between 6-7 pieces of wood.
How long does it take to build a boat?

∆ Mr Agosu Matthew at work with his apprentice.
Again, it depends on the size of the Canoe.
Big boat takes up to two weeks if it’s only me working on it without the support of my apprentices, and if I don’t allow other things to distract me from the work.
However, if I have enough hands, it makes the construction faster and the work can be done in seven days.
What are the challenges of the business?
There are many challenges. One of them is getting the modern tools.
I rent those tools we don’t have and because of the pressure to return them within a specific hours, it slows down the pace of the construction and the timely delivery of the project.
Nevertheless, with the introduction of modern tools, the training patterns have changed. So, if an apprentice is humble, focused, brainy, and sharp, he can use four years to acquire the skills.
How is the boat market, in terms of patronage?

∆ An aerial view of the community/ Ohi baba.com image.
People come to buy, or place orders when their boats is spoiling.
These locally made boats last for five years before spoiling.
Sometimes, we sell two boats in a month. The price of a boat is costly. We sell the big boat at N500 thousand, while the small one goes for N300 thousand.
How long does it take to learn the work?
As I said earlier, it took me 14 years to learn under my Master’s.
It took me that long because I had no financial support from anyone.
Nevertheless, with the introduction of modern tools, the training patterns have changed. So, if an apprentice is humble, focused, brainy, and sharp, he can use four years to acquire the skills.
Last, do you have an association for boat builders?
Yes; we have an association at Ikorodu. I belonged to the association ( That’s my membership ID card). The association has a lawyer, and if any challenge should arise, our chairman is the first person to know.
Business
Royal African Society marks 125 years of Africa – Britain Businesses
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
• Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society
The Royal African Society has marked 125 years anniversary of Africa and Britain businesses and investments at a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange.
The Wednesday event brought together the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu; Chief Executive Officer of British International Investment, Leslie Maasdorp; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola; Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal African Society, Stella Okotete; and other business, diplomatic and policy leaders.
Chairperson of the Royal African Society, Arunma Oteh, said that the organisation had spent 125 years fostering partnerships between both regions.
Oteh said that the celebration was aimed at deepening collaboration between Africa and the UK while promoting investment, innovation and shared prosperity.
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
Business
US subjects imports from Nigeria to 12.5% tariff
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from Nigeria as part of a new trade measure targeting countries it says have failed to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The measure was announced in a statement posted on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday.
Nigeria is among the countries subject to the 12.5 per cent tariff, while India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom will face a lower 10 per cent rate after adopting or committing to implement bans on imports linked to forced labour.
The move follows investigations launched by the USTR in May 2026 into 60 of the United States’ largest trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
According to the agency, it received more than 1,600 written submissions, held public hearings involving over 100 witnesses, and consulted more than 45 governments before announcing the tariffs.
Business
MTN Nigeria asks customers to trade old SIM packs for prizes
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
MTN Nigeria has invited customers to bring in old SIM packs, recharge cards, booster cards, dongles, and MTN-branded phones in exchange for prizes.
The telecom giant is running the campaign the under the hashtag #YelloMoments.
MTN launched the campaign on Wednesday, July 23, via its official social media pages, telling followers that items kept in drawers over the years could be worth something.
Customers who participate will also be featured on what MTN described as a “Memory Wall.”
Collection centres across Nigeria
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
In Lagos, customers can visit MTN Plaza at No. 1 Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, or the office at 43 Allen Avenue, Ikeja. In Abuja, the collection point is at No. 4, Medeira Street, Maitama.
In Kano, it is at 2, Civil Centre Road. In Jos, Plateau State, the centre is at Plot 3119, Royalfield Road.
In Asaba, Delta State, the location is KLM 129, Benin–Asaba Expressway. In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, customers can go to 234, Old Aba Expressway, Opposite Hannah Fast Food.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the drop-off point is at MTN Regional Office 1, Olubadan Avenue and Up/Zartech Road, Oluyole Estate.
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