Business
IWD: DBN Disburses N272b To Women Businesses
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has disbursed more than N272 billion to over 518,170 women-owned businesses, making up 74 percent of its total beneficiaries.
Managing Director of the bank, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, disclosed this in Abuja recently during an event marking this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
Dr. Okpanachi explained that this level of financial support reflects DBN’s strong dedication to empowering female entrepreneurs across different industries.
He stated that the bank’s targeted financing has helped women to grow their businesses in sectors such as fashion, agribusiness, technology, trade, healthcare, and renewable energy. By supporting women in these areas, DBN ensures that they play a significant role in the nation’s economic development.
He also pointed out that providing access to finance alone is not enough to help women entrepreneurs succeed, adding that they also need strategic partnerships, policy support, mentorship, and market access to compete effectively in today’s business environment.
To address these challenges, he said DBN has launched several initiatives, including the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (WE-FI) Code.
This programme, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI), aims to expand access to finance, enhance business skills, and create networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
On guarantees, a report released on Thursday showed that total loans guaranteed by DBN stand at N43.3 billion.
The report also noted that 16 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) have been involved in the loan disbursement process, reaching 45,178 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Out of the 74,678 MSMEs supported, 60.6 percent were owned by women.
Dr. Okpanachi assured of DBN’s focus on financing women-led businesses, explaining that the bank ensures that a significant portion of its lending goes to women entrepreneurs, as their participation is crucial for economic growth.
He said DBN plans to intensify efforts to empower even more women, helping them expand their businesses and contribute further to national development.
He outlined some of the measures taken to achieve this, starting with dedicated funding lines for women-owned businesses through DBN’s partner financial institutions.
These financial institutions can only access these funds if they are directed toward female entrepreneurs.
Beyond funding, Dr. Okpanachi stressed the importance of capacity building. He explained that moving women from micro-businesses to small enterprises and eventually to medium and large businesses requires training and skills development.
“Over the past four years, DBN has provided specialized training programs for women-owned businesses, and the bank is now planning to expand these efforts to reach more women and support their business growth”, he said.
DBN, he continued, remains committed to the WE-FI Code, in partnership with the CBN and BOI, to ensure that more financing is directed toward women entrepreneurs.
Speaking about the gender-based report, Dr. Okpanachi noted that the report provides a detailed record of DBN’s efforts in gender finance since its inception.
He stated that the report not only highlights the level of investment made in supporting women entrepreneurs but also examines the impact of these investments.
He noted that the focus is not just on giving financial support, but of on measuring how it transforms businesses and contributes to the economy.
Dr. Okpanachi expressed confidence that DBN’s continued efforts in financing and capacity building would create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs, helping them scale their businesses and strengthening their role in Nigeria’s economic development.
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Fresh explosions have hit oil and gas pipelines in Odau Community, in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, triggering a major security and environmental crisis that has forced residents to abandon their homes.
The first incident occurred along the Kolo Creek – Rumuekpe crude oil pipelines, operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
This was followed by a gas pipeline explosion on the Ogboinbiri – Obirikom Gas Pipeline, operated by Oando Plc, in the same week.
In a statement by the Abua/Odual Council Chairman, Hon. Owolobi Michael Ofori said the blasts, suspected to be the handiwork of militants, have unleashed persistent gas leakage in the area, raising fears of fire outbreaks and toxic exposure as residents of Odau have largely deserted the community due to the dangerous situation.
According to him, some residents of the area have been hospitalised after inhaling the leaking gas, adding that the impact has spread to neighbouring communities, including Obedum, Emirikpoko, and Anyu in Abua/Odual LGA, as well as Oruma and Ibelebiri in Bayelsa State.
Hon. Ofori expressed deep concern over the plight of the affected residents and urged the operating companies to act swiftly.
The Council expressed its deepest sympathy to all affected persons and communities and remained gravely concerned about the safety, health, and welfare of residents whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by these incidents.
“We call on Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and Oando Plc to immediately deploy all necessary technical and emergency response resources to contain the fires, halt the gas leakage, secure the affected pipeline corridors, and mitigate further environmental and public health risks.” the Council Chairman Said.
The chairman also appealed to the two oil firms to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and relief materials to the displaced residents while work continues to restore normalcy.
The Council Chairman said he is working closely with security agencies and emergency responders to monitor the situation and coordinate necessary interventions.
The Council Boss advised Residents of the Local Government Area to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and adhere strictly to safety directives.
Ofori further called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Rivers State Government, and other relevant bodies to intervene urgently to prevent loss of lives and environmental damage.
Hon. Ofori assured that the council remains committed to the protection and welfare of its people and will continue to engage all stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
Enoch Epelle
Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship through a strategic partnership with the Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), a Federal Government-backed initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the skills, support and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.
Under the partnership, the bank will support the enrolment of students and young people into the YEIDEP programme, which is designed to tackle youth unemployment, promote enterprise development and expand economic participation among Nigeria’s growing youth population.
The next phase of the initiative is scheduled to end today at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where the enrolment exercise for students and youths across the South-East that started since July 1st would be concluded at the university’s Convocation Arena.
The exercise is expected to reach more than 60,000 regular undergraduate students.
Speaking on the partnership, Fidelity Bank’s Divisional Head, Product Development, Osita Ede, said youth empowerment remains central to the bank’s vision of building a more inclusive and prosperous society.
He noted that Nigeria’s youths represent the country’s greatest asset and stressed that providing them with the right skills, opportunities and financial support is critical to unlocking their potential and driving national development.
According to Ede, the bank continues to provide young Nigerians with tools for success through its digital banking platforms, financial literacy initiatives, youth-focused products and strategic partnerships.
He added that Fidelity Bank recognises that limited access to funding, mentorship and business development support remains a major challenge for many aspiring entrepreneurs, and is committed to creating pathways that will help them overcome these barriers.
The bank said its support for YEIDEP aligns with its longstanding commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which it described as key drivers of economic growth and job creation in Nigeria.
Interested students and youths have been encouraged to open Fidelity Bank accounts and register for the programme through the bank’s dedicated online portal.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has launched a multi-agency task force to combat the resurgence of traffic gridlock choking the Lagos Port access roads, in a fresh push to restore seamless cargo evacuation and sustain recent gains in Port efficiency.
The intervention followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, on June 23rd, 2026, where security agencies, freight forwarders, truck operators and representatives of the Lagos State Government agreed on coordinated measures to eliminate the bottlenecks disrupting cargo movement.
At the meeting, stakeholders identified illegal extortion points, overlapping responsibilities among security agencies and other operational distortions as major factors responsible for the renewed congestion along the port corridor.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the NPA’s General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemakara, said the Authority’s overriding priority is to guarantee the unhindered movement of cargo to and from the nation’s seaports.
According to him, the task force comprises the NPA, the Police, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO).
“The responsibility of the task force is to monitor truck movement on the Port access roads on a regular basis, identify any disruption capable of causing gridlock and immediately resolve such challenges,” Onyemakara said.
He stressed that members of the task force would not establish checkpoints along the corridor but would maintain strategic presence at designated locations to ensure compliance without obstructing traffic.
To enhance rapid response, Onyemakara disclosed that the task force has created a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which members can instantly report infractions or emerging traffic issues for immediate intervention.
On the long-delayed renewal of the Electronic Truck Call-Up (ETO) system contract, the NPA spokesman said the Authority is reviewing the terms to ensure a more robust contractual framework before awarding a fresh agreement.
He explained that although the previous contract had expired, the ETO platform remains operational under the management of the Truck Transit Parks (TTP) pending completion of the procurement process.
He expressed confidence that the renewal would be concluded soon.
Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to maintaining free-flowing Port access roads, Onyemakara said efficient logistics remain central to the NPA’s drive to improve Nigeria’s Port competitiveness and preserve its growing international reputation.
“We are more interested in the free flow of logistics into our ports than anyone else because it is in our own interest,” he said
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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