Daily Trust reports that ProvidusUnity Bank has launched an SME capacity-building programme aimed at helping Nigerian entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses. Beyond access to capital, the initiative focuses on equipping business owners with the structures, systems and skills needed for long-term growth. The report frames the programme as a response to the gap between financing and the operational foundations required for businesses to last.

Women-led micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria's manufacturing, agribusiness and nutrition sectors face persistent barriers to capital, energy, technical skills and market access, according to organisers of an upcoming industry gathering in Lagos. Alitheia Capital, an impact investment and private equity firm, said these constraints are limiting growth and formalisation among women entrepreneurs, highlighting challenges ahead of the event.

Bankers in Nigeria have expressed concerns that traditional audit and governance frameworks are becoming insufficient due to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, which is transforming banking operations, risk management, and fraud detection. This warning was made during the 64th Quarterly General Meeting of the Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria (ACAEBIN) held in Lagos.

The World Bank has warned that Nigeria's financial system is failing to direct enough credit to businesses with the greatest potential to create jobs. According to Premium Times, a World Bank official urged banks and development finance institutions to redirect capital towards productive sectors of the economy, saying current lending patterns are bypassing the country's key job creators.

Discussions about small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria have traditionally centered on access to finance. However, according to Nairametrics, funding alone is insufficient for driving the next phase of SME growth. Entrepreneurs are confronted with challenges such as high operational costs, evolving customer preferences, rapid technological advancements, and increased competition, indicating a need for a broader approach beyond just financial support.

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian banks to provide affordable credit to businesses following the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise, according to Punch. He emphasized that stronger, recapitalised banks should prioritise lending that drives economic growth rather than merely achieving bigger balance sheets. The call reflects the administration's push for the financial sector to support enterprise development and broader economic expansion in Nigeria.