Tag: Founding Partner

Glovo Launches “Glovo Academy” in Nigeria to empower local businesses, hosts training for Lagos SMEs

Glovo, one of the leading technology platforms in Europe, Africa, and Central Asia, has launched its flagship Glovo Academy programme in Nigeria, reinforcing its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Glovo Academy is a programme designed to enhance the capabilities of SMEs with high growth potential, providing both in-person and online training to help them thrive in the digital economy. Following a successful debut in Lagos, the initiative will continue in Abuja and other cities across Nigeria, offering entrepreneurs nationwide access to world-class training and practical business growth insights.

Speaking at the event held at Ikeja Town Square in Lagos, Mojisola Aluko-Olokun, Longtail Lead of Glovo in Nigeria, explained that the Academy emphasises the company’s goal of creating opportunities that help entrepreneurs succeed while contributing to broader social and economic development.

Aluko-Olokun noted that the programme has become a platform for fostering innovation, capacity building, and stronger connections within Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“At Glovo, we believe that when small businesses thrive, communities flourish. The Glovo Academy is designed to build capacity, inspire innovation, and connect entrepreneurs with opportunities that help them grow and succeed. We are excited to expand this programme across Nigeria and continue our journey of empowering entrepreneurs in every region,” she said.

While delivering her training session, Tosin Ajose, the founding partner of Dealhq Africa, provided participants with practical tools for scaling and sustaining business growth. She emphasised that business owners must take responsibility for building agility within their enterprises through continuous improvement, beginning with themselves.

Ajose further highlighted the importance of cultivating resilient teams, making deliberate investments in people, establishing functional data collection systems, and ensuring a deep understanding of customers and their value propositions.

September 26, 2025
Adesuwa Ifedi, Korty EO, Ziad Maalouf, Among Others Set to Take the Stage at TEDxPAU 2024.
Pan-Atlantic University is thrilled to announce the second edition of TEDxPAU, themed ‘Shaping the Future’ which will take place on the 16th of November at Africa’s premier business school—Lagos

Business School. After the success of its previous edition, which featured notable speakers such as the MD/CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz; the Group CEO of RED Media, Ayodeji Rasaq, and the Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, the planning committee returns with an even stronger commitment to shape the future through present action.

According to the event organiser, Bella Victor said, “The theme ‘Shaping the Future’ was inspired by the incredible power we hold as individuals and organisations to create lasting change. TEDxPAU 2024 is a platform where visionaries and leaders will converge to share ideas that can shape not just tomorrow, but the generations to come. We believe the future is a canvas, and this event will ignite the creativity, innovation, and drive needed to paint it.”

This year’s edition boasts a stellar lineup of influential speakers, including:
- Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President, Heifer International
- Korty EO, Filmmaker & YouTuber
- Ziad Maalouf, CEO/MD, Seven-Up Bottling Company Nigeria
- Dr. Peter Bamkole, PhD, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Pan-Atlantic University
- Ibukun Awosika, First Female Chairperson, First Bank of Nigeria
- Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, FCIArb, Founding Partner, Kenna Partners
- Temitope Runsewe, CEO, Dutum Group
- Michael Oluwagbemi, PE, PMP, MBA, CEO, Presidential CNG Initiative
The event is expected to play a crucial role in shaping conversations about the future of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. With industry experts spanning fields such as entertainment, oil & gas, banking, agriculture, law, construction, and more, TEDxPAU 2024 will provide valuable insights into the most pressing challenges of our time, thereby paving the way for a brighter Africa.

TEDxPAU 2024 is looking to house entrepreneurs, students, creatives, and innovators with a passion for shaping the future, one conversation at a time. The event offers an opportunity to network and build relationships with like-minded individuals. To be part of this transformative experience, click here to purchase a ticket. For more information, visit www.tedxpau.com.
October 18, 2024
Afreximbank reconstitutes its Creative Africa Advisory Group ahead of CANEX Weekend

…This group oversees and provides guidance for implementing the Bank’s Creative Africa Nexus Programme

Ahead of the upcoming CANEX Weekend in Algiers, Algeria, from 16 to 19 October, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the reconstitution of the Creative Africa Advisory Group (CAAG). This group oversees and provides guidance for implementing the Bank’s Creative Africa Nexus Programme.

The first meeting of the reconstituted Advisory Group took place at the Waldorf Astoria, Heliopolis, Cairo on 9 July 2024. Co-chaired by H.E Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union Commission, and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Founder of Silverbird Group, Nigeria, the CAAG is tasked with guiding Afreximbank’s strategy to support the growth of creative and cultural industries in Africa and its diaspora. Each member will serve a two-year term.

During the meeting, the CAAG was updated on the overall implementation of the CANEX Programme and particularly on the preparations for the upcoming CANEX Weekend in Algeria. Members were also briefed on the status of the CANEX Africa Digital Platform and the establishment of CANEX Creations Incorporated, the Bank’s intellectual property investment vehicle. Amongst the recommendations shared by CAAG members was to establish a finance subcommittee to ensure optimal disbursement of the Bank’s financing facilities and funding, and continued outreach on our financial products to creatives.

Co-Chair H.E Amb. Minata Cessouma-Samate commented: “The Bank has been instrumental in helping the AU’s Culture and Sports Programme deliver initiatives aligned with our long-term development objective – The Africa We Want Agenda 2063, and the Revised AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, 2023. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Creative Africa Advisory Group and galvanizing opportunities between the Bank and the Commission leading to conducive policies and regulatory environment for Africa’s creative and cultural economies.”

Co-chair Senator Ben Murray-Bruce emphasized the crucial role of the Bank in supporting creative ventures through innovation. He stated: “Some of the biggest artists in the world today are Africans and we must be innovative so that channeling money to the continent ceases being an enigma.”

Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe, Acting Director, Trade Facilitation & IATF – Intra-African Trade Bank, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development. He expressed the Bank’s deep appreciation for the contributions of the members of the first cohort of the CAAG.

“Reconstituting the Creative Africa Advisory Group marks a significant milestone in our journey to elevate Africa’s creative and cultural industries to new heights. The contributions of the first CAAG cohort have been invaluable in bringing us to this point. As we move forward, I am confident that the reconstituted CAAG will build on their legacy, driving innovation, fostering investment, intra-African trade and export development, and enhancing cultural expression across the continent. Together, we will continue to support and empower Africa’s creative talents, in the context of a Global Africa, ensuring their rightful place on the global stage.”

Other members of the reconstituted CAAG are: Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Google Africa; Vincent Berry II, Singer, Songwriter and Producer; Didier Drogba, renowned African footballer and President, Didier Drogba Foundation; Omar Ben Yedder, Group Publisher and Managing Director, IC Publications; Azza Fahmy, Founder, Azza Fahmy Designs; Oscar ‘Oskido’ Mdlongwa, Recording Artist and Record Producer, Legend Live; Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and CEO, Bank of Industry; Kibonen Nfi, CEO, Cameroon Clothing; Mamou Daffe, President, African Culture Fund; Hana El-Beblawy, Founder, ARD Art Institution; Orlando Romain, OECS Advisor on the Creative Economy; George Gachara, Founding Partner, The Heva Fund and H.E. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy of Nigeria.

July 11, 2024
Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum announces Finalists for 2023 AWIEF Awards

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is delighted to announce the finalists for its 2023 AWIEF Awards.

Launched in 2017, the prestigious annual AWIEF Awards is an initiative to recognise, honour, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa across various industry sectors for their achievements and contribution to the continent’s inclusive economic growth and social development.

An international and independent Panel of Judges selected the twenty-four (24) finalists across eight (8) categories. These outstanding women founders and business leaders operate in a diverse range of sectors and represent companies from fourteen (14) different African countries: Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The 2023 AWIEF Awards winners will be announced and celebrated at a special ceremony and gala dinner at the AWIEF2023 Conference and Awards, taking place on 9 and 10 November at the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda.

AWIEF Founder and CEO, Irene Ochem, said: “Given the huge number and calibre of the nominations received this year, it is clear that female entrepreneurship and business leadership is thriving across Africa. It is our honour to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of these women to the inclusive growth of their respective sectors, their countries and the continent’s economy.”

A member of the 2023 AWIEF Awards Panel of Judges, John-Paul Iwuoha, Founder of Smallstarter Africa, said: “As a Judge, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of applications in all the categories. It is great to see how AWIEF continues to attract innovative women across Africa who are creating enormous value for society.”

The finalists for the 2023 AWIEF Awards are (listed in alphabetical order):

Young Entrepreneur Award

Salamba Diene, CEO, BIOSENE SARL, Senegal

Joyce Kamande, Co-founder & CEO, Safi Organics, Kenya

Jovia Kisakye, CEO, Sparkle Agro Brand, Uganda

Tech Entrepreneur Award

Norah Magero, Founder & CEO, Drop Access Limited, Kenya

Kathryn Malherbe, CEO, Med Sol AI Solutions, South Africa

Kidist Tesfaye, Founder & CEO, YeneHealth, Ethiopia

Agri Entrepreneur Award

Chinwendu Nweke, CEO, Bridge Merchant Enterprise, Nigeria

Forget Shareka, Founder, Chashi Foods, Zimbabwe

Nonopa Tenza, Founder & MD, Kevinot Farming, South Africa

Energy Entrepreneur Award

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, Founder & CEO, DLO Energy Resources Group, South Africa

Ifeoma Malo, CEO, Clean Technology Hub, Nigeria

Margaret Yainkain Mansaray, Founder & CEO, Women in Energy Sierra Leone Limited, Sierra Leone

Creative Industry Award

Yasmina Belahsen, Founder, MayaDigital, Morocco

Gladys Chibanda, Founder & CEO, Krafted Ink, Zimbabwe

Ararat Tamirat, Founder & GM, Tuba By Ararat, Ethiopia

Social Entrepreneur Award

Damilola Aminat Adeyemi, Co-founder & CEO, D-Olivette Global Enterprise, Nigeria

Kayumba Chiwele, Founder & Principal Psychologist, MindAid Zambia, Zambia

Mundih Noelar Njohjam, Medical Doctor, Epilepsy Awareness, Aid and Research Association, Cameroon

Empowerment Award

Aya Chebbi, Founder & President, Nalafem Collective, Tunisia

Zulfat Mukarubega, Founder, University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda

Catherine Wijnberg, Founder & CEO, Fetola, South Africa

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rina Gunter, Founding Partner, Gunter Attorneys, South Africa

Dalia Ibrahim, CEO, Nahdet Misr Publishing House, Egypt

Anke Weisheit, Co-founder & Chair, PHARMBIOTRAC, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda

September 20, 2023
Remedial Health raises $12 million to deliver financial services for neighbourhood pharmacies and drive deeper growth in Nigeria

Remedial Health, a healthtech startup that develops solutions to make Africa’s pharmaceutical value chain more efficient, has secured $12 million in an equity and debt funding round to deepen the penetration of its services in Nigeria and support the delivery of targeted financial services to drive business growth across the country’s pharmaceutical sector.

The $8 million Series A equity funding round was led by US-based venture capital firm, QED Investors and co-led by Ventures Platform, who have now invested in Remedial Health at every funding round since the pre-seed stage. This investment also represents Ventures Platform’s first Series A investment. Ycombinator, Tencent and Gaingels also invested after participating in previous rounds. The $4 million debt funding was led by a consortium of local and international financial institutions.

Across Africa, 85 percent of retail medicine purchases happen at micro-enterprises, typically neighbourhood pharmacies) and Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs). For store owners, 90 percent of their wholesale purchases happen in open markets that are largely unfit for consumables and medicines. Store owners also have to endure expensive and time-consuming weekly order cycles that typically amount to two working days to access the inventory they need to stock their shelves. These realities, combined with a predominantly paper-based approach to managing operations, present various challenges that make it difficult to maximise profitability.

Remedial Health operates at the intersection of healthcare, supply chain management, technology and financial services, delivering the digital procurement infrastructure to power effective healthcare distribution for Africa’s 1.2 million pharmacies. Starting in Nigeria, Remedial Health has built an effective operating system for pharmaceutical buyers and suppliers, working with more than 300 manufacturers and serving more than 5,000 hospitals, pharmacies and PPMVs across 34 of Nigeria’s 36 states, with regional hubs to enable a seamless experience across the country.

Store owners can access more than 8,000 vetted products via the mobile app, with same-day delivery and inventory financing to minimise cash-flow friction for routine orders and maximise sales opportunities. The startup also provides facility financing, payment solutions and inventory management solutions that makes it easier for store owners to run their business more efficiently and profitably. For pharmaceutical manufacturers, Remedial Health provides an effective route-to-market for their products, as well as data-driven insights into local markets that can be leveraged for more effective planning and decision making.

This new funding will enable Remedial Health to deepen the reach of these services across Nigeria and deliver more game changing solutions to drive greater efficiency across the pharmaceutical value chain.

According to Samuel Okwuada, CEO and co-founder of Remedial Health, “We are delighted to have raised these funds, particularly with the wider context of the global funding downturn and the wide range of economic headwinds in Nigeria. Our continued growth has put us in a strong position to deliver our mission of creating a tech-enabled, pharmacy-centred healthcare network and we are looking forward to leveraging these funds to achieve more success.”

Gbenga Ajayi, Partner, Head of Africa, QED Investors, said “The success that Remedial Health has enjoyed to date is an indication of the market gap that exists, and the value they provide in providing effective holistic services to thousands of pharmacies across Nigeria. QED is particularly excited about the embedded financial services opportunities within the vertical — the ability to provide payments, embedded lending and other fintech solutions to this underserved but very crucial sector. The Remedial Health team is perfectly positioned to solve this problem because of its unique positioning as a partner across the entire pharmaceutical value chain and the unique backgrounds of the founders as both seasoned phama operators and technology professionals. We are very excited to be on this journey and to support this next phase of the company and to bring our fintech DNA to bear in what is an already positive growth journey.”

Kola Aina, Founding Partner of Ventures Platform, said “We are incredibly proud to have been part of Remedial Health’s journey since the earliest phase of the company’s development. This partnership exemplifies our mission to support category leaders before they become obvious. Remedial Health’s dedication to improving Nigeria’s pharmaceutical value chain is critical and their success in securing this $12 million funding demonstrates their remarkable growth and the management’s tenacity over the years. Our investment in this round represents our continued belief in their mission to deliver financial services to neighbourhood pharmacies and drive deeper growth in the pharmaceutical sector.”

August 1, 2023
Gricd rebrands as ‘Figorr’, announces $1.5 million seed funding to support data-driven insurance for perishable goods in Africa

Gricd, a technology company that develops Internet of Things-powered solutions to support the last-mile delivery of perishable goods, has secured $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Atlantica Ventures, with participation from Vested World, Jaza Rift and Katapult, to expand across Africa and deliver new solutions that will make it easier to insure perishable goods on the continent. The company has also rebranded as ‘Figorr’, signalling its new focus on software solutions.

Figorr develops IoT-powered solutions that complement existing infrastructure and assets to reduce or eliminate losses associated with the transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive and perishable goods in Africa. The company’s solutions provide real time data on location, humidity, temperature and other key data points, enabling businesses and other stakeholders in agriculture, healthcare, logistics and other sectors across Africa to maximise the value of perishable and temperature-sensitive goods such as vaccines, insulin and food.

More than $4 billion worth of food items are lost in Sub-Saharan Africa every year due to inadequate storage and transportation. At the same time, The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 50 percent of vaccines are wasted globally every year because of temperature control, logistics and shipment-related issues. This percentage is likely to be higher in Africa where around 60 percent of the population live in rural areas with limited infrastructure. At the same time, the absence of standardised storage and transportation processes, as well as lack of data and clarity on supply chain processes makes it difficult for insurers to create effective products to cover the risks associated with this product category. As a result, businesses and other stakeholders have to shoulder all the risks which mean the cost is passed on to the end customer, leading to comparatively higher prices than other parts of the world.

Figorr already works with some of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers and food companies in Nigeria and across Africa to enable the effective transportation and storage of food and pharmaceuticals. It has successfully tracked more than 110 million perishable items and supported its customers to realise more than $200 million in savings. Over the years, the company has built a framework for understanding the risks associated with the transportation and storage of perishable and temperature sensitive goods in Africa. The new funding will support the roll out of a proprietary risk management platform that will provide data that will make it easier to insure perishable and temperature sensitive goods on the continent.

According to Oghenetega Iortim, CEO and founder of Figorr, “This funding comes at a great time for us, as it enables us to leverage the data we have gathered over the years to provide further support for our customers with managing the risks associated with perishable goods on the continent. At a time where the price of everything seems to be rising and the global economy is experiencing significant challenges, unnecessary wastage should not be compounding these issues. We are excited to onboard more customers across the continent and roll out our solutions to enable more Africans to maximise the value of their goods and maintain profitability”.

Aniko Szigetvari, Founding Partner at Atlantica Ventures said, “Tega and the Figorr team have built a powerful suite of products and services to support the cold chain industry and ensure quality of perishable goods and pharmaceutical products in Nigeria and across the continent. We are excited to support the growth and regional expansion of the company”.

May 15, 2023
African brands surge to 17% of the Top 100 brands in Africa

…Dangote, GT Bank, Channels TV, DSTV and Coke lead the list of the most admired brands in Nigeria.

Today Brand Africa unveiled the 12^th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2022 rankings of the Top 100 most admired brands in Africa at a live event at Eko Hotel & Suites in Nigeria.

Against a backdrop of internal focus as a consequence of an urgent rebuilding of economies devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the acceleration of AfCFTA’s goal of driving greater intra-African trade, after a 5-year decline, African brands have surged 4% to 17% from an all-time low of 13% in 2020 and 2021 in the 2022 Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands survey and ranking of the best brand in Africa.

Nigerian brands, Dangote (#22), Glo (#32), Jumia (#42) and Nasco (#75) are among the 17 African brands that have heralded a 4% surge by African brands to 17% share of the Top 100 brands in Africa.

Overall, South Africa’s MTN, has returned to the Top 10 as the highest-ranking African brand and traded places with Dangote as the #1 African brand recalled when prompted to consolidate its status as the #1 African brand.

Dangote, the pre-eminent African brand founded in 1981 by Nigerian Aliko Dangote, emerged as the #1 brand that symbolises African pride in a question where Brand Africa sought to establish which brand in Africa is a flag carrier and embodiment of rising optimism and pride in Africa. South Africa, led by MTN, leads the African list, with Nigeria, led by Dangote, the overall #1 brand, at 28%, and Kenya with flag carrier, Kenya Airways, at 8% and Ethiopia, with its flag carrier brand, Ethiopian Airline at 4%.

Non-African brands, led by overall pace-setter Nike for the 5^th consecutive year, continue to dominate with a share of 83% of the most admired brands in Africa. Coca Cola, which has been in the Top 5 for 10 consecutive years, is the #1 overall most admired brand in Nigeria.

In a separate list of the Top 25 most admired financial services brands, African brands, led by Nigeria’s GT Bank for the third consecutive year, dominate the rankings with 68% of the share to 32% for non-African brands.

DStv, has consolidated its position as the #1 African media brand for the second year running, while Channels TV led as the #1 Nigerian media brand, in a category that is fast going digital and mobile.

Recognising that while the rebound in African brands is notable, the results will not be sustainable without committed and inspirational leadership, in 2022, Brand Africa recognised those leaders who are the catalyst for growth for Made in Africa brands both in corporate and in those who have championed and supported the development of great local brands in supporting industries. GT Bank’s Group CEO, Segun Agbaje and Nigerian doyenne of marketing, founder and chairman of Troyka Group, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo were awarded the inaugural Africa Brand Leadership Excellence awards for inspiring brand-led excellence that drives the growth of made in Africa brands.

“As we emerge out of the pandemic and Africa seeks to assert itself, the results are very inspiring and bode well for an African renaissance led by competitive world-class African brands,” says Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa and Brand Leadership.

“With increased number of countries and greater sample size this year, more than ever, and especially so during the pandemic, mobile proved to be the effective tool for us to reach and access respondents across the continent,” said Bernard Okasi, Director of Research, GeoPoll, which has been the lead data collection partner since 2015.

Karin Du Chenne, Chief Growth Officer, Africa Middle East for Kantar, which has been the insight lead for Brand Africa since inception in 2010 says, “despite volumes of brands analysed as a results of increased sample size in terms of respondents and countries, the survey continues to yield a very consistent picture of brands and trends that are transforming the continent.”

Now in its 12^th year, every year on or around Africa Day, 25 May, Brand Africa releases the results of the survey on the most admired brands in Africa based on a survey across 29 countries that represent as much as 85% of the continent’s GDP and population. The 2022 survey was conducted between March and April 2022 and yielded over 80,000 brand mentions and over 3,500 unique brands.

The Brand Africa 100 results will be published in the June issue African Business magazine which on sale globally in June 2022 and will be available online to subscribers on www.africanbusinessmagazine.com.

The 2022 Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands were organised by Brand Africa partners in Nigeria, AT3 Resources and Open Squares Africa, and supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria, South African Tourism, NQR, Africa Media Agency and BCW Africa.

For Information on the Brand Africa agenda, initiatives and partners and specifically the Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands Rankings visit www.brand.africa and follow the results on #BrandAfrica100 and #AfricasBestBrands2022.

May 26, 2022
Nigerian Constitution: African Heritage Institution (AfriHeritage) Partner’s NBA, Ikeja for August 2021 Big Ideas Podium

…enlists key legal authorities in public law to discuss and ideate on salient issues around the Nigerian constitution

Pursuant to its vision of championing positive social changes through sustained advocacy that promotes transparent, effective management and governance of the Nigerian and African sociopolitical economies, African Heritage Institution (AfriHeritage) partner’s the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Ikeja for the August 2021 Big Ideas Podium (BIP). The event is scheduled for August 12, 2021 at 10:00am. Mixed and structured for both in-person and virtual participation, the event is themed: “Reworking the Nigerian Constitution for National Transformation and Integration”.

As a national platform designed for public policy debates on emerging and developmental issues that inform policy reforms and good governance, the AfriHeritage Big Ideas Podium (BIP) seeks to drive the push towards a renascent Africa that is peaceful, democratic, prosperous, and a major player in the global economy. Working in partnership with the NBA, we are keen to influence public policies to catalyze transformative change and African economic renaissance.

The August 12, 2021 edition of the Big Ideas Podium will have notable industry captains, experts in public and constitutional law, and policymakers to reflect critically and identify useful ideas on how we can rework our national constitution for national transformation and integration.

The Keynote Address will be delivered by Bartholomew Aguegbodo, Esq — Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja and Principal Head, Bartholomew Aguegbodo & Co; while the discussants for the event are: Adeyemi Abijo, Esq, co-founder, LegalHub Partnership; Marvin Ibem, Esq, founding partner, Marvin Ibem & Co; and Justice Chineme Uhuegbu, esq, Principal Head, Uhuegbu Chineme & Co and National president, Association for Good Governance Nigeria.

Commenting on the choice of theme and partnership, Professor Ufo Okeke-Uzodike, Executive Director, African Heritage Institution noted: “As the supreme law of a country, a national constitution sets out the rights of individuals, captures key national goals, and embodies the public will; it provides ground rules for citizenship and coexistence, and the responsibility of government to the governed. In essence, a government owes its legitimacy to the national constitution within which its authority must be completely subsumed. Sadly, the current Nigerian constitution does not command the loyalty it should from its governments and peoples. Saddled with social and political unrests and growing levels of criminality and poverty, Nigeria remains on the brink of becoming ungovernable or a failed state as some individuals and socio-cultural groups turn to violence or claims of separatist rights. Given the current context of massive levels of poverty, criminality, insecurity, and exclusionary politics (and the associated incessant unrest), AfriHeritage — in collaboration with legal authorities and intellectuals with competences in constitutional law – seeks a more focused and goals-driven national discourse on constitutional reform. We hope that such a focus will enable us to identify crucial benchmarks for achieving meaningful and sustainable peace, national integration, and socio-economic transformation and development”.

All stakeholders and Nigerians are expected to click the link https://bit.ly/2V6Mq3Z to register

August 9, 2021
Tijjani Borodo’s book launch scheduled for March 31 2021

Alhaji Tijjani M. Borodo, Principal Partner, Tijjani M. Borodo & Associates Legal Practioners and the immediate past Company Secretary of FBN Holdings Plc, Nigeria’s leading financial services group, is set to launch a seminal autobiography, A Journey in Leadership, on Wednesday, 31 March 2021. The book public presentation will hold at The George Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria and will be witnessed by leading professionals in the public and private sectors across the globe.

Dr. Oba Otudeko, CFR, Chairman FBNHoldings is billed to be the Chairman of the occasion. Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, CON, Founder and Chairman, BUA Group, will be the book launcher, while His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, former Governor of Bauchi State, will be the book presenter. Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), Founding Partner, Kenna Partners, will be the book reviewer.

In line with the COVID-19 protocols and the need to ensure there are no restrictions on participation, the event will also be streamed virtually. To participate remotely, register via the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89888237328.

The 180-page book is written to showcase the life and times of Tijjani Borodo as he grew through the ranks in his eventful and celebratory career in the public and private sectors respectively.

Borodo takes readers through his stints with the public sector, the challenges he had and notable impacts which were instrumental to him becoming the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, old Kano State (now comprising Jigawa and Kano States) at a very young age. Copies of the book can be purchased via the link https://forms.app/form/605dc1ba2e0c391b35514ee4

His experience in the public sector is one he reflects on with great pride as it was instrumental to his preparedness in advancing his career as he switched to the private sector, precisely the banking industry, which is unarguably one of the most regulated sectors in not just Nigeria but leading economies of the world. Borodo had 29 years’ experience with FirstBank and FBNHoldings group, retiring as Company Secretary in 2017.

In the foreword by Dr. Omar Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Governor, The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Vienna, Austria, he said: “A Journey in Leadership explores the author’s life through the prism of leadership in five distinct areas of endeavour – public legal practice, banking, corporate governance, social responsibility and Islamic Education. The book mirrors the life of a man with strong leadership character and positive values in his various endeavours. Much as the work is about the life that the author led, it is also much about the leadership and public service as it is about the history of leading financial institution, the FirstBank Group.”

Expressing his gratitude for a fulfilled career, Tijjani Borodo said: “I remain grateful for my eventful career as I have been able to transcend across various spheres of practices, comprising the public and private (banking) sectors of the economy as these have been instrumental to my growth and preparedness to delve into private practice in a career path I have always loved, the Legal profession.

My achievements have been made possible by my family, colleagues and associates across multiple industries in the world which I remain ever grateful to God for as all these have been made fruitful by His grace.

I enjoin everyone to not just get the book but read it and importantly take to its learnings as it will be instrumental to shaping the readers to identifying opportunities, embracing these opportunities and utilizing it at an optimal level whilst being at their best in having a fulfilling and fruitful career.

A Journey in Leadership is a tip of the iceberg, and indeed amongst my many contributions to societal development.”, he concluded.

About the Author

Tijjani M. Borodo, LLM, FIoD

Alhaji Tijjani Borodo was the pioneer Company Secretary of FBN Holdings Plc (FBNHoldings) who oversaw the process admitting FBNHoldings to the Premium Board of The Nigerian Stock Exchange. He retired from FBNHoldings in October 2017 after a successful career spanning over 29 years with the group.

Alhaji Borodo held Directorship positions spanning over two decades on the Boards of First Dependants Nigeria Limited, First Nominees Nigeria Limited and First Registrars Nigeria Limited, In-sourcing Nigeria Limited, as well as Director and Chairman of FBNQuest Trustees. He is Director, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN); Second Vice President of Institute of Directors; Director of CIBN Centre for Financial Studies; Member, Board of Directors, Association of Banks Legal Advisers and Company Secretaries.

He holds a law degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and a Masters in Law degree from the University of Essex, United Kingdom. He holds a B.L (Barrister at Law) from the Nigerian Law School and was called to Bar in 1980. He started his career as a Pupil State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Kano State from 1979 and rose to the rank of Director of Public Prosecutions in 1986 before joining FirstBank of Nigeria Limited in 1988.

He occupied various managerial positions within the Bank before being appointed as the Company Secretary in June 1999. He oversaw the Bank’s Secretariat and was the Secretary to the Board of Directors and Annual General meeting for 14 years. Thereafter, he was appointed Company Secretary, FBNHoldings in September 2012. He is a Fellow, Institute of Directors, Nigeria and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria; Member, International Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association, and an Honorary Senior Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. He has attended courses and programmes in various first-rate business and management schools, including Harvard Business School, the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Kellogg School of Management, Illinois and the London College of Management Studies. Alhaji Borodo is happily married with four children and loves swimming, listening to music and travelling.

March 30, 2021