Founders Frames

“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐭.” — 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐲

Which is exactly what some of Africa’s brightest tech entrepreneurs are doing.

Yesterday, at the UBA Amphitheatre, the UBA Business Series brought together founders who are building the future through technology. Femi Aluko shared his journey from Paystack to founding Chowdeck, now serving millions of Nigerians daily. M.I Abaga spoke on reinventing himself from an award-winning musician to a tech entrepreneur, while Ashim Egunjobi unpacked what it takes to build businesses that solve real problems.

It wasn’t just another panel discussion, it was a masterclass in innovation, resilience and ex*****on.

©UBAGROUP

The UBA Business Series - Building for Africa’s Realities (Turning Consumer Feedback into Technology driven solutions)

The vision behind Adesina Lab featured in the news. The real work starts
now.

“Great businesses are not built in classrooms.”

They're built in the field through ex*****on, hard decisions, and hands-on coaching

©Adesina Asset

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU TASKS AFREXIMBANK TO MOBILISE RESOURCES FOR AFRICA'S INDUSTRIALISATION

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday tasked the leadership of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to intensify efforts to mobilise and deploy the continent's vast human, financial and natural resources for the collective economic advancement of Africans, stressing that Africa's drive to industrialisation cannot remain a subject of theoretical discussion.

President Tinubu stated this during a visit by a delegation from Afrieximbank, led by its President and Chairman of the Board, Dr George Elombi, to the State House, Abuja.

The President said his administration's recent economic reforms, such as ending the fuel subsidy and tackling multiple exchange rates, are essential steps to combat corruption and ensure economic survival.

President Tinubu emphasised that Africa possesses enormous potential and must move beyond endless conversations about development to practical actions that drive industrial growth, expand trade, create jobs, add value, and improve the living standards of its people.

According to him, a structured financial backing and reliable infrastructure are essential for building the continent.

“The conscience and the future of Africa depend on what you and your team can do and will do for Africa as a whole, and the time has come for us to start doing things together as Africans.

“We have what it takes to build this continent. Do we continue to exploit and export raw materials without value addition? That answer is no.

\`\`We have solid mineral deposits such as lithium and others that can be used, and you, as the financial partner, should be able to come with investment guarantees for the production and value addition in batteries and other manufacturing ecosystems,” the President said.

Speaking on the farmer-herder clashes, the President told the visitors that his administration has turned the longstanding conflict between farmers and herders into an economic opportunity for citizens through the introduction of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

“ I created the Livestock Ministry to create economic opportunities for Africans. The cotton, ginnery and garment industries are job creators. If we partner well and incorporate these ideas and do less talking and really put our heads into developmental programmes, we can turn it around,” the President said.

President Tinubu canvassed the need for Afreximbank to synergise with the Bank of Agriculture, make more investments in the production of crops such as cocoa, palm kernel, and palm oil, among others, and ensure that agricultural value chains translate into tangible benefits for the future.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh, explained the President's bold economic diversification policies, describing the administration's Eight-Point Renewed Hope Agenda as a transformative blueprint that is repositioning Nigeria for sustainable economic growth, industrial expansion, and shared prosperity.

Enoh said President Tinubu's commitment to industrialisation, particularly through the development of the solid minerals sector, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture, the digital economy, and value-added exports, is laying the foundation for a resilient economy less dependent on crude oil revenues.

The President and Chairman of Afreximbank, Dr Elombi, said he and his team were at the State House to thank the President for his support, which led to his election as the President of the Bank, as well as to brief him on the bank’s portfolios and activities in Nigeria.

According to him, the Bank has investments across trade, agricultural processing, value chain and healthcare.

He specifically informed President Tinubu of the bank’s efforts to reverse health tourism on the continent, highlighting that the Bank had invested between 15 and 20 billion dollars in the Nigerian economy over the last five years.

He invited the President to visit the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) located in Abuja.

Elombi also told the President that Afreximbank has committed US$2 billion to support Nigeria's cotton and garment industry.

He also briefed the President on the Bank's investment in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Kano-Maradi Railway line.


Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)

July 7, 2026

FG approves free CAC registration for 250,000 Nigerian businesses, opens SMEDAN portal. Details below

Zenith Bank's New Mobile App Shows Why Speed Matters In Everyday Banking

Nobody wants to spend extra minutes trying to complete a simple bank transfer. Whether you're paying a vendor, buying airtime or settling bills, people now expect banking apps to work quickly without unnecessary delays.

That is why Zenith Bank's newly launched mobile app is getting attention.

The refreshed app comes with a cleaner layout, quicker navigation and improved services that make routine transactions easier to complete. Customers can transfer funds, pay bills, manage their cards and access other banking services from one place.

For many customers, the real improvement is not about flashy features. It's about opening the app, getting things done in a few taps and moving on with the rest of the day.

As more Nigerians rely on digital banking, improvements like these are becoming just as important as the services banks offer.

© Oriental Times

Dangote Cement Declares Record N753.8bn Dividend, Pays N45 Per Share

Dangote Cement Plc has once again demonstrated its commitment to shareholder value by declaring a record dividend payout of N753.8 billion, translating to N45 per share for the 2025 financial year. The payout represents a 50% increase from the N30 per share paid in the previous year.

The historic dividend reflects the company's strong financial performance, resilient earnings capacity, and robust cash generation, despite a challenging business environment. It also underscores Dangote Cement's unwavering focus on delivering sustainable returns to investors.

Over the last 15 years, the company has distributed more than N3.3 trillion in dividends to shareholders, making it one of the most rewarding investments on the Nigerian Exchange and a consistent creator of long-term wealth.

As Africa's largest cement producer continues to expand its footprint across the continent, Dangote Cement remains focused on creating value for shareholders, driving industrial growth, and maintaining its position as a leading blue-chip stock in Africa.

Dangote Industries

What separates entrepreneurs who build lasting businesses from those who don’t?

It’s not just talent.
It’s not just opportunity.
It’s not even luck.

According to our founder Tony O. Elumelu (Tony O. Elumelu), the answer is resilience, the discipline to keep going when progress is slow, challenges arise, and the vision demands patience.

In his latest blog, he shares the lessons behind building institutions, investing for the long term, and why resilience will be the driving force behind Africa’s economic transformation.

Read the full article here: https://tonyelumelu.com/africas-economic-transformation-requires-resilience/

TEF2026

IBOM MEDICAL CORRIDOR: GOV. UMO ENO’S AMBITIOUS PROJECT WITH A MARK OF DISTINCTION

BY | DESTINY YOUNG

Imagine a middle-aged Nigerian named Boniface, living with his family in a neighbouring state.

For several months, Boniface has required specialised medical attention. His local hospital has capable doctors, but it lacks the advanced equipment and specialist team needed to manage his condition. His family begins the familiar and difficult process of arranging treatment abroad.

They calculate the cost of flights, accommodation, medical consultations, diagnostic tests and feeding. They also consider the uncertainty of living in a foreign country while seeking care. Before the first appointment is secured, the family’s savings are almost exhausted.

Then someone tells them that the required specialist care is available in Akwa Ibom State.

They board a short flight into the Victor Attah International Airport. From there, they travel through a peaceful and well-connected environment to the Ibom Medical Corridor. Within the corridor, Boniface receives advanced diagnostic services, specialist consultation and co-ordinated treatment. His wife stays close to the facility, while other members of the family have access to suitable accommodation and essential services.

Boniface does not cross the Atlantic Ocean. His family does not struggle with visa applications or foreign currency. The money they would have spent abroad circulates within the Nigerian economy.

This is an illustrative case, but it captures the future I believe Governor Umo Eno seeks to create through the Ibom Medical Corridor.

In my view, the project represents a deliberate attempt to build a complete healthcare ecosystem rather than another isolated hospital building. It connects medical care with research, training, accommodation, aviation, hospitality, elderly care and supporting commercial services.

At the centre of this vision is the 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, designed to provide specialised and technology-driven healthcare services. The hospital is planned with 24 clinical departments and facilities for advanced diagnostics, medical research, professional training, innovation and wellness services.

Its significance lies in the problems it seeks to solve.

Every year, many Nigerians travel abroad for medical procedures that could be performed within the country if the right facilities, specialists and management systems were available. This movement places pressure on families and contributes to the loss of substantial financial resources from the Nigerian economy.

Governor Umo Eno’s response is direct. Build the infrastructure. Attract the expertise. Establish the right management structure. Create an environment where Nigerians can receive quality care at home and where patients from other countries can confidently choose Akwa Ibom as a treatment destination.

This, to me, is what gives the Ibom Medical Corridor its mark of distinction.

It is ambitious in size, but its greater strength lies in its integrated design.

The existing Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital forms part of the corridor’s healthcare foundation. The proposed Ibom International Hospital will expand the range and depth of specialised services available. The ARISE Senior Citizens Centre introduces a structured system of care, recreation and wellness for elderly people.

The planned Medical Village will provide suitable residential accommodation for doctors, nurses, researchers and other health professionals. This will help the state attract and retain skilled personnel, including specialists who may be required to live close to the hospital.

The corridor also benefits from its connection to hospitality and aviation infrastructure. The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel can support visiting families, medical experts, conference participants and health tourists. Ibom Air and the Victor Attah International Airport provide a strategic transportation advantage for patients travelling from other parts of Nigeria and beyond.

These facilities are different parts of one development strategy.

A patient may arrive by air, receive specialist care, undergo rehabilitation and remain within an environment equipped to meet medical, residential and hospitality needs. A visiting surgeon may conduct procedures, train local medical personnel and participate in a research conference without leaving the ecosystem. A pharmaceutical company may establish operations near the corridor to support clinical services and medical research.

This level of integration separates the project from the traditional approach of constructing a hospital without developing the systems needed to sustain it.

The Medical Corridor also carries significant economic potential.

A functioning medical city requires doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, radiographers, biomedical engineers and health-information specialists. It also creates opportunities for administrators, technology professionals, facility managers, caterers, security personnel, transport operators and maintenance workers.

Its value chain could stimulate pharmaceutical production, medical-equipment servicing, digital-health innovation, research partnerships, hospitality services and professional education.

Young Akwa Ibom people studying medicine, nursing, pharmacy, engineering, information technology and related disciplines could find new career pathways within their own state. Local businesses could provide goods and services to the hospitals, residences, research centres and hospitality facilities operating within the corridor.

The project therefore connects healthcare development with employment creation, knowledge transfer and economic diversification.

Governor Eno’s approach also reflects an important lesson in public leadership. A government must assess existing assets honestly and determine what should be repaired, reorganised or newly developed.

The administration has stated that the Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital will continue to operate while the new international hospital addresses identified gaps in advanced and quaternary healthcare. This approach recognises the value of previous investments while creating additional capacity for the future.

I see this as a model of continuity rather than destructive competition between administrations.

The Ibom Medical Corridor also fits into the wider ARISE Agenda. It advances health-sector development, infrastructure, tourism, education, investment and job creation within a single strategic location.

The project is supported by other healthcare reforms across the state. The administration has constructed and renovated primary healthcare centres, recruited thousands of health workers and expanded enrolment in the state health-insurance programme. It has also strengthened emergency medical response and continued interventions for vulnerable citizens.

These measures show that the Medical City is not intended to replace community healthcare. Primary-care centres will address common health needs at the local level, while general and secondary facilities will manage referrals within their capacity. The Ibom International Hospital will occupy the specialised end of the system.

A sound health sector needs every level to function.

At the unveiling of the project, the Federal Government, through the Co-ordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, pledged support for its successful completion and operation. That endorsement gives the project national relevance and creates opportunities for institutional collaboration.

It also confirms that the ambition behind the Medical City extends beyond Akwa Ibom State.

From my perspective, Governor Umo Eno is positioning the state to become a healthcare destination for Nigeria, the Gulf of Guinea region and other parts of Africa. Akwa Ibom already possesses several competitive advantages. It has a peaceful environment, an expanding aviation sector, quality hospitality facilities and a reputation for cleanliness and order.

The Medical Corridor brings these advantages together around one of humanity’s most important needs, access to quality healthcare.

Ambitious projects must be judged by ex*****on. Buildings must be completed. Equipment must meet international standards. Specialists must be recruited. Clinical systems must protect patients. Management must remain professional and financially responsible.

Governor Eno appears conscious of this responsibility. His administration has presented the hospital as an institution that should become operationally sustainable rather than remain permanently dependent on government subvention.

That goal will require competent management, transparent procurement, reliable maintenance, strong clinical governance and partnerships with reputable medical and academic institutions.

The project’s true distinction will emerge when its modern structures are matched by excellent service.

Return to the story of Boniface.

After receiving treatment, he returns home with improved health and a different impression of Akwa Ibom State. His family speaks about the doctors, the facilities, the orderly environment and the ease of travelling to Uyo.

Another patient hears their story and chooses Akwa Ibom. A specialist accepts an appointment within the Medical City. A researcher begins a clinical study there. A young graduate secures employment in one of its laboratories. A local entrepreneur supplies essential materials to the facility.

One successful medical encounter produces a chain of social and economic value.

That is how a hospital becomes a medical city. That is how a medical city becomes an economic corridor. That is how a government project becomes a lasting institution.

I consider the Ibom Medical Corridor Governor Umo Eno’s statement that Akwa Ibom should prepare for a future in which healthcare, knowledge, technology and investment work together.

It is bold in conception. It is strategic in location. It is broad in economic potential. It also demonstrates a willingness to pursue projects whose benefits may extend far beyond one political term.

The people of Akwa Ibom have a stake in its success. Health professionals must contribute their expertise. Communities must protect the investment. Contractors must deliver quality work. Public officials must ensure accountability. Citizens must judge the project through facts, progress and its eventual impact.

When completed and properly managed, the Ibom Medical Corridor could reduce the need for overseas treatment, retain healthcare spending within Nigeria, create skilled employment and establish Akwa Ibom as a recognised centre for specialised medicine.

Governor Umo Eno has placed an ambitious vision before the state.

Its name is the Ibom Medical Corridor.

Its purpose is to save lives, develop human capacity and build a new pillar of economic prosperity.

Its mark of distinction will be measured in every patient treated, every professional trained, every job created and every family spared the burden of travelling abroad in search of quality healthcare.

It is official!

Ibom Air now operates from the new ultra-modern terminal at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.

Cc : Ibom Air

# Founders Frames

CBN's Global Recognition Signals Renewed Confidence in Nigeria's Economic Reforms

The Central Bank of Nigeria's recognition as the 2026 Central Bank of the Year represents more than an international award, it reflects the growing importance of institutional reform, policy credibility, and long-term economic stewardship.

Receiving the award in London, Governor Olayemi Cardoso dedicated the recognition to the Board, Management, and Staff of the Central Bank, emphasizing that sustainable progress is built through collective effort rather than individual accomplishment