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Applications have opened for the 2026 Ibom Ignite Entrepreneurship and Innovation Grant, an initiative aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs, startups and innovators seeking funding to develop or expand their ventures.
The grant is part of the 2026 Ibom Ignite Conference, themed “Reinvent: Rethink. Reimagine. Redesign. Become.” It is designed to support innovative business ideas and ventures with the potential for growth and scalability.
The opportunity targets young entrepreneurs with existing startups, innovators developing new business ideas and business owners seeking support to expand their operations.
However, the available programme information does not specify the grant amount, application deadline, age limit or detailed eligibility criteria. Interested applicants are advised to consult the official application portal for further requirements.
Applicants can apply by visiting the official Ibom Ignite Entrepreneurship and Innovation Grant 2026 application portal and completing the online form. They are encouraged to provide accurate information and review the application requirements before submission.
The initiative comes amid ongoing efforts to improve access to funding for entrepreneurs and startups, particularly those seeking to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
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Business
CBN Appoints Eight Agents to Monitor Nigeria’s Crude Oil, Gas Exports
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed eight pre-shipment inspection agents and two monitoring and evaluation firms to strengthen oversight of the country’s crude oil and gas exports.
The appointments, announced in a notice signed by Aderinola Shonekan, Director of the CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department, took effect on October 2, 2026, under the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme.
The apex bank directed authorised dealer banks, the Nigeria Customs Service, petroleum regulators, terminal operators and oil and gas companies to comply with the revised arrangements.
Under the new framework, Dakee Engineering and Construction Ltd. will handle LNG, Escravos (Gas), Bonny River Terminal (BRT) and EGTL, while Trexem Energy Services Limited has been assigned Egina, Qua-Iboe and Tulja.
Geoscape Limited will oversee Escravos, ERHA, Odudu and FSO Cawthorne. 617 Limited will cover Bonga, Brass, Usan and Eagle, while Robinson International Energy Ltd. will be responsible for Ugo-Cha, Penington, Aje, Ima, Oyo and Nembe.
Trobell International Nigeria Limited has been assigned Forcados, Bonny and Okwori, while Integrated Shipping Services Nigeria Ltd. will handle Akpo, Antan, Okoro, Anyala-Madu and Ebok.
Kephren Business Ltd. will oversee Ukpokiti, Utapate, Yoho, Abo, Agbami, Ajapa, Okono, Okwok and additional marginal streams designated by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The CBN also appointed two monitoring and evaluation agents to supervise the inspection companies. Q&Q Control Services Ltd. will monitor 617 Limited, Trexem Energy Services Limited, Geoscape Limited and Kephren Business Ltd.
Arlington Securitas Nigeria Limited will oversee Dakee Engineering and Construction Ltd., Trobell International Nigeria Limited, Robinson International Energy Ltd. and Integrated Shipping Services Nigeria Ltd.
The latest appointments follow previous adjustments to the CBN’s crude oil and gas export monitoring framework. In May 2024, the apex bank appointed 11 pre-shipment inspection and monitoring agents under the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme.
In March 2025, the government reviewed the allocation of oil export terminals, assigning additional terminals to nine inspection agents appointed under the scheme. In July 2026, the CBN also appointed Candid Oil Services Limited as the pre-shipment inspection agent for the Taurus Oil and Gas Depot.
The latest revision updates the companies responsible for inspecting export cargoes and the terminals assigned to them. The CBN requires relevant institutions and operators to comply with the new allocations from October 2, 2026.
The appointments come amid growth in Nigeria’s gas export earnings. According to the CBN, gas export earnings rose to $2.53 billion in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting stronger earnings from the natural gas sector and contributing to the country’s external trade position.
The revised framework places designated inspection agents in charge of specified export terminals, while the monitoring and evaluation firms supervise their activities under the scheme.
Business
Shettima Directs Quarterly Engagement With MSMEs to Strengthen Policy Input
Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the Federal Government to expand its engagement with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), introducing quarterly meetings to ensure business owners contribute to policies affecting their operations.
She gave the directive at an MSME stakeholders’ meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the government and small business operators.
Shettima directed the Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, to expand the membership of the stakeholders’ forum and ensure regular meetings.
He also instructed that each meeting should review progress on previous resolutions to ensure sustained engagement and accountability.
The Vice President stressed that MSMEs must have a stronger voice in shaping government policies, noting that their contributions were essential to developing practical solutions to challenges confronting businesses.
Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting small businesses through improved access to financing.
He cited the Federal Government’s approval of ₦200 billion to support small businesses and manufacturers as part of efforts to strengthen enterprise development and stimulate economic growth.
The initiative is expected to improve access to capital for businesses, enhance productive capacity and support job creation.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, described MSMEs as central to Nigeria’s economy, highlighting their importance to enterprise development and employment generation.
The Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, called for sustained collaboration among government institutions and private sector stakeholders to improve access to affordable financing, modern equipment and markets.
Representatives of government agencies and business associations also urged increased support for small businesses through funding, training, capacity building and access to international markets.
The stakeholders noted that addressing these challenges would enable MSMEs to expand their operations, strengthen competitiveness and create more employment opportunities.
The quarterly engagement is expected to provide a platform for business owners to communicate their concerns directly to the government and contribute to policies aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment.
Business
NCDMB, UN Women Partner to Expand Access to $40m Fund for Women in Oil and Gas
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) are exploring joint initiatives to increase women’s participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, including efforts to expand access to a dedicated $40 million financing facility for women-owned businesses.
The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, improve access to industry opportunities and promote greater participation across the oil and gas value chain.
The development was discussed on Thursday when UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Beatrice Eyong, led a delegation to NCDMB’s Abuja liaison office.
The delegation was received by the Board’s General Manager of Corporate Communications, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe.
The Women in Oil and Gas Fund was established by NCDMB in April 2021 with an initial $20 million commitment to support women-owned and women-led businesses in the sector.
The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) subsequently matched the funding with an additional $20 million, bringing the facility to $40 million.
Despite the fund’s favourable lending terms, uptake has remained below expectations, prompting renewed efforts to raise awareness and address barriers preventing women entrepreneurs from accessing the financing.
Partnership to Address Barriers to Women’s Access to Funding
During the meeting, both organisations discussed strategies to improve women’s access to financing and strengthen their participation in the oil and gas industry.
Eyong proposed a study to identify factors limiting women’s access to the fund, including challenges relating to documentation, business registration, tax compliance and inadequate awareness of available financing opportunities.
The proposed collaboration also includes capacity-building programmes for NCDMB personnel to strengthen gender mainstreaming in project planning, budgeting and implementation.
Other areas of discussion include vendor development initiatives to prepare women-led businesses for industry opportunities, awareness campaigns on available funding and potential affirmative procurement measures to increase participation by women-owned companies.
Eyong commended NCDMB for its existing gender inclusion initiatives and noted that several of the Board’s programmes align with efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment.
She also highlighted UN Women’s ongoing initiatives in economic empowerment, leadership development and the elimination of gender-based violence.
Responding to the proposals, Ezeobi welcomed the collaboration and reaffirmed NCDMB’s readiness to work with UN Women to expand opportunities for women in the oil and gas industry.
He highlighted initiatives already implemented by the Board to support women’s participation, business growth and leadership across the sector.
The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen existing interventions, improve awareness of financing opportunities and address structural barriers limiting women’s participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
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