Business

Experts To Develop Commercial Models For Cassava

Published

9 years ago

March 22, 2017

Experts working on the project to develop commercial models for cassava seed system in Nigeria will meet at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, tomorrow to map out strategies for development.
A statement by the IITA Communication Specialist, Mrs Adaobi Umeokoro, said that the experts would meet to strategise on how the potential of emerging cassava technologies could harnessed to create wealth for all.
The statement said that the experts were planning to develop a sustainable mechanism through which smallholder farmers could get timely and affordable access to high-quality planting materials such as improved cassava varieties.
It said that they would consider how to make cassava, an important staple crop for millions of families in sub-Saharan Africa, more profitable for those whose livelihoods and sustenance depended on it.
“ Building a Sustainable, Integrated Seed System for Cassava in Nigeria (BASICS) project will hold its first annual review and planning meeting.
“It promises to strategise on the best available options for making planting materials of superior variety and quality readily available and accessible to Nigerian farmers at the appropriate time, place, and price,” it said.
The statement quoted the Project Director, Dr Hemant Nitturkar, as saying that although Nigeria was the largest cassava producer in the world, its average yield of about 14 tonnes/ha was less than half of what could be produced in a realistic way.
“Given the potential of this crop and the vast number of Nigerians depending on it, there is an urgent need for improvement at all levels of the cassava value chain.
“Increased adoption of improved varieties and usage of quality materials have the potential to improve the productivity of cassava, thus positively impacting on food security and livelihoods in Nigeria.
“It can earn valuable foreign exchange for the country through increased exports and import substitution; BASICS is catalysing the build-up of a sustainable seed value chain in Nigeria,” he reportedly said.
The statement said that Nitturkar stressed that BASICS would sensitise farmers to the need to use high-quality seeds of improved varieties to achieve higher net profits from cassava cultivation.
“BASICS is piloting two business models for seed multiplication and distribution. The first is a decentralised Village Seed Entrepreneur (VSE) model, where over 130 VSEs will be developed in Benue, Abia, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, and Cross River states.
“The second is the Processor Led Model (PLM), where cassava processors will multiply good quality improved cassava varieties for supply to outgrowers to plant under a buy-back arrangement for the roots produced.
“The project has developed an online platform called Cassava Seed Tracker (CST) to facilitate easy registration of seed producers and real time monitoring of field inspections and certification by National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC).
“CST is also designed to link seed producers with needy farmers and many more features will be added to this platform over time.’’
The statement said that Nitturkar emphasised that the project would also address one of the key bottlenecks of cassava seed system, which was slow and low seed multiplication ratio.
“It is piloting the use of an innovative rapid seed multiplication technology called Semi Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH), which has been successfully used in commercial potato seed multiplication in Argentina.
“SAH is expected to significantly help the cassava seed system by enhancing the capacity of pre-BASICS and BASICs seed producers to make available adequate quantities of certified planting materials of improved varieties for further multiplication by certified seed producers.
“The technologies and models being piloted in this initiative are tailored towards creating a win-win scenario for farmers, processors and seed entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
“The processors benefit from an assured supply of better quality cassava roots for processing.
“Youths and women, among other seed entrepreneurs, benefit from an expanding cassava seed market as an economic opportunity and the nation benefits from the resulting enhanced productivity across the cassava value chain,” Nitturkar said in the statement.
The project director said in the statement that BASICS, a four-year project (2016-2019), was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“The project partners include the NASC, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Context Global Development, Food and Environment Research Agency of the UK (FERA), among others,” Nitturkar was quoted as saying.

Business

NEM Insurance celebrates IWD 2026 with pledge to sustain support for women endeavour

Published

5 days ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

NEM Insurance Plc – the number one motor insurance provider in Nigeria, in a vibrant commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers women to excel in their endeavours.

Speaking at the corporate headquarters in Lagos, the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Tope Smart, stated that the company remains resolute in its mission to support women affairs, noting that their contributions are vital to the sustainability of the insurance industry.

Aligning with the global theme “Give To Gain,” Smart highlighted that the insurance provider views gender diversity not just as a corporate social responsibility, but as a core driver of innovation and high-level performance.

“Our commitment to female professionals at NEM Insurance is unwavering,” Smart declared. “We recognize that by ‘giving’ women the right tools, mentorship, and leadership platforms, the industry ‘gains’ unparalleled dedication and diverse perspectives that move the needle of progress.”

The multiple award winning underwriting company and one of the top three leading general insurance business companies in Nigeria, has remained focused in promoting and supporting women affairs.

Adding her voice to the celebration, the General Manager, Corporate Services, Mrs. Mojisola Teluwo, emphasized that the company’s gender-focused initiatives, such as the “She Means Business” contest, represent a practical approach to inspiring inclusion.

Mrs. Teluwo maintained that supporting women-led initiatives is a strategic investment in the fabric of society, rather than just a philanthropic gesture.

“At NEM Insurance, we believe that when a woman thrives, a family thrives, and the nation prospers,” Mrs. Teluwo stated. “The ‘She Means Business’ initiative is our way of moving beyond mere applause for women toward active, tangible support. We are proud to provide the financial catalyst needed for visionary women to turn their business aspirations into reality.”

To mark the occasion, the leadership outlined several key pillars of support:

Leadership Development: Targeted training programs to prepare more women for executive-level decision-making.

Inclusive Work Culture: Sustaining a workplace environment that balances professional growth with personal well-being.

Economic Catalyst: Providing grants and professional frameworks to help female entrepreneurs upscale their operations.

The event featured a series of internal sessions where female staff engaged in mentorship dialogues, focusing on career advancement within the evolving landscape of the Nigerian insurance sector and paint and Sip, which provided an opportunity for women to showcase their creativity.

Smart concluded by urging other industry stakeholders to prioritize the development of female talent, asserting that a more inclusive sector is a more prosperous one for all Nigerians.

Business

Nigeria: Profit-Taking Persists as NGX Dips Marginally by 0.2%

Published

5 days ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Trading on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed slightly lower on Wednesday as profit-taking in selected equities continued to weigh on the market, dragging key performance indicators into negative territory.

Market data showed that the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.09 per cent to close at 195,898.53 points, compared with the previous session’s level, as investors booked profits in some large and mid-cap stocks.

Consequently, market capitalisation shed N107.57 billion, settling at N125.75 trillion. Despite the marginal decline, the market still maintained positive returns, with the month-to-date gain standing at 1.6 per cent, while the year-to-date return moderated to 25.89 per cent.

The downturn was largely driven by losses recorded in stocks such as Presco Plc and UAC of Nigeria Plc, both of which declined by 10 per cent, alongside Dangote Cement Plc, which slipped by 0.6 per cent.

Market breadth closed negative, reflecting bearish investor sentiment, as 40 stocks recorded losses compared with 29 gainers, translating to a market breadth ratio of 0.7 times.

Among the top gainers were NGX Group Plc and Premier Paints Plc, which appreciated by 10 per cent and 9.9 per cent respectively. Other notable gainers included Omatek Ventures Plc, Prestige Assurance Plc and HMC Allied Plc.

On the losers’ chart, Presco Plc and UAC of Nigeria Plc led the decline with 10 per cent losses each, followed by Morison Industries Plc, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc and SCOA Nigeria Plc.

Sectoral performance was mixed, with the Industrial Goods index leading the gainers after advancing by 1.42 per cent, while the Banking index recorded a marginal gain of 0.04 per cent.

Conversely, the Commodities sector topped the laggards, declining by 1.30 per cent. The Insurance index fell by 0.44 per cent, the Consumer Goods index dipped by 0.43 per cent, while the Oil and Gas index edged down by 0.06 per cent.

Activity level on the exchange weakened as investors traded a total of 671.27 million shares valued at N26.13 billion in 58,792 deals.

This represents a decline of 8.61 per cent in volume, 5.18 per cent in value and 9.31 per cent in the number of transactions compared with the previous trading session.

Wema Bank Plc emerged as the most actively traded stock by volume and value, accounting for 106.36 million shares worth N2.75 billion.

Analysts said the cautious mood in the market reflects continued portfolio rebalancing by investors following the strong rally recorded earlier in the year.

They noted that trading may remain mixed in the near term as investors react to corporate earnings releases and macroeconomic development.

Business

Wema Bank Admits 10 Startups into Hackaholics 2026

Published

5 days ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Wema Bank has admitted 10 Nigerian startups into the 2026 edition of its Hackaholics Accelerator Programme as part of efforts to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business growth in the country.

The 10 cohort selected startups for the 2026 edition such as; Farmslate, Ploy, Stocmed, Feest , Varsityscape, MamaAlert, Sane, Cyclex, Kieva and Loocomo were drawn from the top performing finalists of Hackaholics 6.0.

The Hackaholics Accelerator, a selective growth programme under the bank’s Hackaholics platform, is designed to help promising startups reinforce their business foundations while preparing them for scalable growth and investment readiness.

Wema Bank said the programme represents a strategic expansion of its support for innovators, moving beyond ideation and competition to hands-on startup development after six years of driving innovation through the Hackaholics initiative.

According to Wema bank, the accelerator provides founders with structured mentorship, industry guidance and access to networks required to transform innovative ideas into viable and scalable businesses.

Speaking at the programme, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni, said the accelerator demonstrates the bank’s commitment to supporting founders beyond the early stages of innovation.

He noted that Hackaholics has evolved from a competition into a platform that showcases Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potential and technological creativity. Where he explain that the second edition of the accelerator focuses on helping founders transition from ideation to building sustainable business capable of long trem projects .

“Over the past six years, Hackaholics has grown into more than a competition; it has become a platform that reveals the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial potential that exists across Nigeria,”Oseni said.

Oseni stressed that the startups selected are representing some of the most promising solutions emerging from the Hackaholics ecosystem, and the back remain committed to helping them refine their business models, strengthen their operational foundations, and scale their impact.

Also speaking at the program , Wema Bank’s Chief Transformation Officer,Mr. Babatunde Mumuni, said the accelerator would guide founders through a structured process aimed at strengthening their operations and positioning them for sustainable growth.

As part of the programme, startups founders will participate in intensive training sessions facilitated by industry experts across key areas of business growth. Facilitators include Wema Bank executives such as Chief Transformation Officer, Babatunde Mumuni; Head of Strategy and Investor Relations, Femi Akinfolarin; Head of Data Transformation, Olamide Jolaoso; and Team Lead, Corporate Social Investment, Oluwatoyin Adetunji. While External facilitators include Managing Director of Impact Hub Lagos, Idowu Akinde; Managing Director of B4B Partners, Napa Onwusa; startup advisor and scout, Onaopemipo Dara; Google for Startups mentor, Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa; Head of Growth at Africhange, Tega Ogigirigi; and startup advisor and mentor, Ademola Adewuyi.

The Hackaholics Accelerator is also supported by Wema Bank’s broader innovation ecosystem, including IDEAx Labs, the bank’s innovation and venture platform, and its corporate venture programme focused on enabling startup growth through partnerships, infrastructure and access to capital.

Since its launch in 2019, Hackaholics has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading youth innovation platforms, attracting more than 15,000 applicants and supporting hundreds of digital solutions across multiple sectors.

Through the initiative, Wema Bank said it has disbursed more than $400,000 in funding to young innovators and startup founders nationwide.

Previous participants such as Feegor, Myitura and Bunce have emerged from earlier editions of the programme, highlighting the accelerator’s focus on nurturing growth-ready companies. Meanwhile the 2026 edition builds on this progress by supporting startups as they transition from innovation to sustainable business growth.